From April 11, anyone applying for a passport in the United States will be able to tick the “X” box, and no longer just choose between “male” and “female”, the State Department announced Thursday at the occasion of international day of transgender visibility.
By fulfilling this promise made in the fall, the State Department becomes, according to a press release, the “first federal agency” in the United States to offer this option on an official identity document.
The White House has announced a series of initiatives to facilitate administrative procedures for transgender people: an update of the body scanners used in airports to take into account non-binary and intersex people; simplification of many administrative procedures; or even the creation of an information website on gender transition, aimed at young people and their parents.
“Transgender people are among the bravest in our country. But no one should be brave just to be themselves,” the White House said in a statement.
The US federal government is implementing these initiatives while conservative states have adopted restrictive regulations on the care of transgender minors, on the practice of sports, or even the use of the toilets.
In Texas, investigations have been opened against parents under a controversial directive from the governor, which equates certain “gender reassignment” procedures for minors to criminally reprehensible “abuse”. He cites surgical operations but also hormonal treatments.
“The (federal) administration once again condemns the proliferation of dangerous legislative attacks against transgender people in multiple states,” read the White House statement on Thursday.
“There is evidence that these types of laws stigmatize and endanger the well-being of transgender children” and “risk creating discrimination and harassment” against their families, further asserts the American executive.