The U.S. State Department has ceased issuing passports with a gender-neutral “X” option following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
The order mandates federal agencies to recognize only male and female genders, reversing a policy introduced during Joe Biden’s administration.
The State Department has suspended processing applications requesting an “X” marker and is reviewing the status of previously issued passports. This decision affects an unknown number of applicants and holders, with further guidance pending.
The policy change aligns with Trump’s broader rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, sparking criticism and potential legal challenges from rights groups.
