US Airlines Told to Ignore 'X' Gender Markers on Passports, Sparking Panic Among Trans Travelers
The US government has informed airlines that they should disregard the "X" sex markers on passports and instead input either "M" or "F", sending travelers with an "X" marker into a state of anxiety. The new rule, which was recently implemented by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is causing concern among trans and non-binary individuals who rely on these documents for travel.
The introduction of the "X" gender marker in 2022 was intended to allow people with identities that do not fit traditional male or female categories to obtain more accurate passports. However, the new rule appears to undermine this effort by requiring airlines to stick to a binary system.
According to experts, the policy could make life even more difficult for trans and non-binary individuals who are already vulnerable to harassment and discrimination at airports. Andy Izenson, senior legal director at the Chosen Family Law Center, notes that while passports with an "X" marker should still be considered valid travel documents, the new rule could lead to confusion and problems for some travelers.
"It's a little too soon to say how this is going to practically work out," Izenson said. "But what's clear is that this policy will make it even harder for trans and non-binary people to navigate our immigration system."
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also been unclear about its plans, with CBP officers still using the sex marker on passports as a way to decide how to treat travelers. This could lead to invasive body scans and pat-downs, which are already traumatic experiences for many trans individuals.
One traveler who is speaking out against the new policy is July Pilowsky, a US citizen currently living in Spain. They have dual citizenship and use they/they/she pronouns, but their passport originally listed "F" as their sex marker. When they changed to an "X", it caused them problems at the airport.
"What CBP officers do when you show them your document is they look at the sex marker on your document," Pilowsky explained. "And based on what that sex marker says, they decide what you're supposed to look like and what your body is supposed to be like."
Now, with the new policy in place, Pilowsky is facing a similar challenge. They have had to reach out to an immigration lawyer just to enter their own country.
"It's absurd," Pilowsky said. "I don't want to know about the rest of that spectrum."
The US government has informed airlines that they should disregard the "X" sex markers on passports and instead input either "M" or "F", sending travelers with an "X" marker into a state of anxiety. The new rule, which was recently implemented by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is causing concern among trans and non-binary individuals who rely on these documents for travel.
The introduction of the "X" gender marker in 2022 was intended to allow people with identities that do not fit traditional male or female categories to obtain more accurate passports. However, the new rule appears to undermine this effort by requiring airlines to stick to a binary system.
According to experts, the policy could make life even more difficult for trans and non-binary individuals who are already vulnerable to harassment and discrimination at airports. Andy Izenson, senior legal director at the Chosen Family Law Center, notes that while passports with an "X" marker should still be considered valid travel documents, the new rule could lead to confusion and problems for some travelers.
"It's a little too soon to say how this is going to practically work out," Izenson said. "But what's clear is that this policy will make it even harder for trans and non-binary people to navigate our immigration system."
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also been unclear about its plans, with CBP officers still using the sex marker on passports as a way to decide how to treat travelers. This could lead to invasive body scans and pat-downs, which are already traumatic experiences for many trans individuals.
One traveler who is speaking out against the new policy is July Pilowsky, a US citizen currently living in Spain. They have dual citizenship and use they/they/she pronouns, but their passport originally listed "F" as their sex marker. When they changed to an "X", it caused them problems at the airport.
"What CBP officers do when you show them your document is they look at the sex marker on your document," Pilowsky explained. "And based on what that sex marker says, they decide what you're supposed to look like and what your body is supposed to be like."
Now, with the new policy in place, Pilowsky is facing a similar challenge. They have had to reach out to an immigration lawyer just to enter their own country.
"It's absurd," Pilowsky said. "I don't want to know about the rest of that spectrum."
i was at the grocery store and i saw this huge display of avo toast and i'm thinking same girl, different planet 
anyway, back to the passport thing... it's wild that people are having such a hard time with something as simple as an 'X' marker. can't we just chill for once? 
and btw have u tried those new plant-based milks? game changer 
! I'm all for trans and non-binary folks having more options on their passports, but now it seems like they're being forced back into a binary system that's already so unfair. I mean, what's the point of even having an "X" marker if airlines are just going to ignore it? 
It's like, can't we just be inclusive and not make things more complicated for people who already face enough challenges at airports? 
. Like, what's the point of even having an "X" marker if you're just gonna tell airlines to ignore it? 
It's like they want trans and non-binary people to feel anxious about traveling all over again 
. It's like they're playing games with people's identities and safety 
. And what's up with CBP officers still using the sex marker as a way to decide how to treat travelers? 
. They have to go through all this drama just to enter their own country 
. It's not right 
. We need better policies in place, like a simple "X" marker that just means whatever it says 
.
Like, a simple checkbox or something that doesn't require so much anxiety 
? 
it's just another example of how our society is still so stuck on these outdated notions of 'male' and 'female'.
i mean, passports were just trying to provide a way for ppl with non-binary identities to have accurate docs. now its gonna be all "m" or "f" again and thats just frustrating. at the same time, idk man... maybe this new rule is supposed to help with security and stuff? but then again, what if its just another reason for ppl to get harassed at airports?