US will now offer gender-neutral X option on passports

The Department of State announced that US citizens will be able to choose the gender-neutral X marker on their passports. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the X option will be available for other forms of documentation next year.

The definition of the X gender marker on State Department public forms will be decided by community feedback and research.

The State Department said last June that it would add a third gender marker to passports, but it didn't say when it would happen. It also said that it would allow passport applicants to self-select their gender, without requiring medical evidence in cases where their gender did not match what was listed on other identification.

The decision was applauded by the Human Rights Campaign. The update was one of several policy updates by the Biden administration that will improve the lives of trans and non-binary people in this country, according to the HRC interim president.

At a time when several state legislatures have taken up anti-transgender measures to try to prevent children from receiving gender-affirming healthcare or playing on sports teams, the news comes. The White House on Thursday condemned the proliferation of dangerous anti-transgender legislative attacks, saying the evidence is clear that these types of bills stigmatize and worsen the well-being and mental.

To apply for a passport with the X marker, visit travel.state.gov/gender.