The U.S. State Department has issued the first U.S. passport with the gender designated as "X," a step toward making a third gender option widely available for nonbinary, intersex and non-gender-conforming applicants, the department announced on Wednesday.
According to Ned Price, a spokesperson for the State Department, the "X" gender marker will be available "to all routine passport applicants after we complete our system and update in early 2022," he said.
Last summer, the department announced that it would offer the option. Applicants can already choose which gender they want on their passport. This is even if the ID they are using for their supporting department does not match. A passport change in gender is possible without a medical certificate.
The United States is now joining more than a dozen countries offering nonbinary or third-gender passport options, including Canada and Argentina.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, the State Department policy will be beneficial for approximately 1.2 million adults who are not bisexuals, 2 million transgender individuals and approximately 5.5 million intersex Americans.
Price stated that the department works closely with U.S. agencies to make sure passport holders have a smooth travel experience, regardless of gender identity.
Source: Business Travel News
