Under Trump Executive Order... 'X' Disappears from US Passports

by Kim Minyoung

Published 22 Jan.2025 09:59(KST)

Updated 22 Jan.2025 10:04(KST)

Starting from the 21st (local time), it is no longer possible to select a third gender option other than male and female when choosing gender on U.S. passports.

AFP Yonhap News

U.S. NBC and other broadcasters reported that the procedure allowing the selection of a third gender option besides male and female on passports has been removed.

The U.S. Department of State had previously allowed users to select Male (M), Female (F), or X, representing another gender identity, through a section called "Choose Gender Designation" on the passport services website, but that section was removed this morning.

The section, introduced during the previous Joe Biden administration, included the phrase "We advocate for the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people, including LGBTQI+ individuals," but this phrase is no longer visible. Instead, searching for this section online now redirects to the general passport information page.

This action by the Department of State follows an executive order officially recognizing only male and female genders, issued by President Donald Trump, who was inaugurated the day before.

On his first day in office, the 20th (local time), President Trump declared that the official policy of the U.S. government is to recognize only two genders, male and female, and not subjective gender identities. He stated, "Efforts to uproot the biological reality of sex fundamentally attack women," and added, "Allowing transgender women who have transitioned from male to female to use women-only facilities has been wrong."

The executive order signed by President Trump includes instructions to ensure that government-issued identification documents, including passports, visas, and entry cards, accurately reflect the gender of the ID holder.