"Women, Men, and 'Gender X' Introduced"… US Passports Now Allow Selection of 'Third Gender'

US State Department: "We Will Strive to Promote Freedom, Dignity, and Equality"

A passport application form that can indicate 'Gender X'. / Photo by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website, Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] The U.S. government has revised the passport application form to allow applicants to select a 'third gender' option other than male or female.

On the 11th (local time), the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs posted a notice titled "Choose Your Gender" on its website. According to the announcement, applicants can now select 'Gender X' in addition to male (M) or female (F) when applying for a passport.

Gender X was introduced for non-binary individuals (those who identify outside the male-female binary), intersex persons (those with physical characteristics not defined as male or female), and those who feel discomfort with gender classification.

The Department of State stated, "We strive to promote the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people, including LGBTQI+ individuals," and added, "We are committed to providing better services for all U.S. citizens regardless of gender identity."

LGBTQI+ stands for Lesbian (L), Gay (G), Bisexual (B), Transgender (T), Queer/questioning (Q), Intersex (I), and others (+).

Additionally, the Department of State explained in the Q&A section that no additional documentation is required when selecting the gender to be displayed on the passport. This applies not only to Gender X but also when selecting male or female.

The Department clarified, "The gender on the passport application does not need to match the gender on previous passports, birth certificates, or identification documents," and "No medical certification or legal documents are required to change the gender marker on the passport."

The same applies when selecting the gender for a child's passport. For children and adolescents under 16 applying for a passport, as before, a parent or legal guardian must appear with the applicant, but the gender can be chosen independently.

However, the Department of State warned, "Some countries consider homosexuality illegal, and travelers may face difficulties such as being denied entry due to the Gender X marker." They also recommended carrying legal documents or medical certificates while traveling as a precaution.

The U.S. government plans to improve its systems by the end of next year to allow the Gender X marker on passport cards, emergency passports printed at embassies, expedited and urgent passports issued at passport agencies and centers, and overseas birth consular reports.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.