“The Department of State continues the process of updating its policies regarding gender markers on U.S. passports…,” spokesman Ned Price said.
The U.S. Department of State announced on Wednesday that it had issued the first U.S. passport with an “X” gender marker, which offers a third option for passport holders who do not identify as female or male. The new option is expected to be offered more routinely beginning in early 2022, the Associated Press reported. “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,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement. “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,” Price added. The State Department announced in June that it was working on providing a third gender marker for nonbinary, intersex and gender-nonconforming people. At that time, the department noted extensive updates to its computer systems would have to be done to allow for the new designation. The Office of Management and Budget still needs to approve the passport application and system update with the “X” designation option, according to a department official.
