First 'X Gender' Passport Issued, State Department Announces — Permanent Option Expected in 2022
The State Department has issued its first nonbinary passport in line with its mission to advance fair treatment of LGBTQI+ citizens.
In a statement on Wednesday, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, “The Department of State continues the process of updating its policies regarding gender markers on U.S. passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBAs) to better serve all U.S. citizens, regardless of their gender identity.”
“As the Secretary announced in June, the Department is moving towards adding an X gender marker for non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming persons applying for a U.S. passport or CRBA,” he continued. “The Department has issued the first U.S. passport with an X gender marker. We look forward to offering this option to all routine passport applicants once we complete the required system and form updates in early 2022.”
Finally, Price said, “I want to reiterate, on the occasion of this passport issuance, the Department of State’s commitment to promoting the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people – including LGBTQI+ persons.”
.@StateDept continues to take steps to demonstrate our commitment to promoting the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people – including LGBTQI+ U.S. citizens. https://t.co/39tqEgJiNo
— Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) October 27, 2021
In June, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the department is “committed to promoting the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people – including LGBTQI+ persons.”
“I am pleased to announce that the Department will be taking further steps toward ensuring the fair treatment of LGBTQI+ U.S. citizens, regardless of their gender or sex, by beginning the process of updating our procedures for the issuance of U.S. Passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA),” he added.
Additionally, Blinken said individuals would be able to “self-select their gender as ‘M’ or ‘F’ and will no longer require medical certification if an applicant’s self-selected gender does not match the gender on their other citizenship or identity documents.” He also shared plans to add an “X” marker for “non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming persons.”
Several other countries, including Argentina, Nepal, and Malta, also allow citizens to obtain a nonbinary passport.
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