The day after Donald Trump returned as president, Lisa Suhay took her 21-year-old transgender daughter, Mellow, to a passport office in Norfolk, Virginia. They urgently needed a passport because of Trump’s new executive order, which defined gender strictly as male or female based on birth. This policy, which does not recognize gender transitions, worried Mellow and her family. They wanted to ensure she could leave the country if life became too difficult for transgender people in the U.S.
Mellow had to select “male” on her passport application, even though it did not match her identity or her state-issued driver’s license. She found it emotional and frustrating to provide false information just to get a passport. Her mother also worried that these inconsistencies might cause legal issues in the future.
Changes in Passport Policy
After Trump’s order, the State Department stopped issuing passports with an “X” gender marker for nonbinary individuals. It also stopped allowing people to update their gender on passports. Applications for gender changes were put on hold, and the government website removed information about transgender and intersex travelers.
Other Actions Against Transgender Rights
Trump’s policies have impacted transgender people in several ways. The same executive order that changed the passport rules also required transgender women in prison to be housed with men. Additional policies could:
- Ban transgender people from the military.
- Stop federal funds from covering gender-affirming care for minors.
- Prevent transgender women and girls from competing in female sports.
Legal Challenges and Concerns
A group of affected individuals, represented by the ACLU, filed a lawsuit in a federal court in Boston to challenge the passport policy. They argue that it violates equal protection rights and was implemented without a required public notice period.
Meanwhile, advocacy groups, such as Garden State Equality in New Jersey, have warned transgender travelers that they might face issues when returning to the U.S. if their passport has the “X” marker.
Families in Limbo
Elise Flatland from Kansas is waiting for a passport for her 12-year-old transgender son. The rest of her children received theirs, but his has been delayed. She fears he may need it to travel for medical care or to have an official document that reflects his gender.
Similarly, Zaya Perysian, a transgender content creator, tried to update her passport but received it back with the gender changed to male. She believes this policy is meant to erase transgender identities.
Now, transgender individuals and activists are fighting back against these changes, hoping to restore their rights and recognition.
