-Brittany Hennis-
We thought 2020 was filled with changes, but 2021 has come with its own set of rules and regulations!
The United States has made history recently, becoming the first country to issue passports with the gender marker “X”.
NPR.org reports, the Biden administration wanted to come through on their promise, to make this change for individuals who identify as nonbinary, intersex, or gender nonconforming.
These new changes will reflect the system along with necessary forms to be finalized in early 2022, according to the State Department spokesperson Ned Price.
“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.”
If anyone is wondering what motivated this change, it is due to a lawsuit by Dana Zzyym. Dana an intersex and nonbinary Colorado resident, who argued it was impossible to get a passport with the accurate gender because “female” and “male” were the only options.
She shared with NPR in June, “It’s great news for all intersex and nonbinary people, because it basically says that we can get our passports. We don’t have to lie to get our passports. We can just be ourselves.” Zzyym was the first to receive the passport with a gender “X” marker!
The U.S. has set the tone because now other nations are preparing to make the same changes to their passports, Canada, Australia, India, Malta, Nepal, and New Zealand. In June, the department announced that it would immediately start allowing applicants to select “M” or “F” as their gender. Without proving any medical certification of their choice that doesn’t match their gender on other documents. Also, this policy change applies to Consular
This is a major win for the LGBT community and an amazing shift to witness. Cousins, what are your thoughts on these changes?