Transgender people in the United States will be free to use “X” on applications regardless of gender on their birth certificates or other legal documentation.
On Thursday, the Biden administration came up with new ways to protect transgender people from a wave of state legislation against them. And will let people choose an X for gender on passport applications and free to select their sex on Social Security cards.
In June, the State Department announced that residents of the United States could choose their gender on applications without submitting medical evidence. For the first time in October, it gave nonbinary, intersex, and people who don’t fit into any of the other categories a choice on their travel documents that wasn’t male or female.
Beginning on April 11, U.S. citizens will be allowed to pick an X as their gender marker on their U.S. passport application. The choice will become accessible for additional forms of documents next year, stated Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement.
According to the Social Security Administration, Americans will be allowed to choose and change their gender on their Social Security cards starting in the fall without the requirement for medical evidence. Gender indicators are currently missing from the cards.
The reforms were among many announced by the Biden administration to commemorate a “Transgender Day of Visibility,” a day after the Republican governors of Oklahoma and Arizona signed legislation prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports in schools.
They joined an increasing number of states that have approved or adopted similar legislation on a divisive election-year subject. Transgender and reproductive rights have recently got put into the center of the cultural battles occurring in parts of the United States.
“The government yet again opposes the rise of harmful anti-transgender legislative measures that have been proposed and approved in state legislatures across the country,” the White House said in a statement on genderqueer initiatives.
According to the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law and interACT, an intersex advocacy organization, nonbinary and intersex Americans, who are neither entirely male nor entirely female, are estimated to number 1.2 million and 4 million people, respectively.
Because state regulations vary, many of them have been unable to get IDs that truly represent who they are. For example, fourteen states require proof of genital surgery to change the gender marker on a birth certificate.
Privileges included
They include benefits like making travel easy, giving resources to transgender children and their families, making it easier for people to get government benefits and services, and making them visible in government data.
The Transportation Security Administration will change imaging technology, reduce the number of pat-down screenings, remove gender identification from checkpoint screenings, and add an “X” gender marker to the TSA Precheck application.
A new website from the Department of Health and Human Services provides resources for transgender and LGBTQI+ youth, their parents, and providers. The White House stated that other agencies would be announcing more ways to collect and use information about sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Struggle, Pride, and Support
Every American has the right to be themselves. However, the White House says that far too many transgender Americans still face structural barriers, prejudice, and violence.
Biden attempted to comfort any transgender individual who is suffering by saying, “You’re not alone. You’re really courageous. You have a place here. And we’ve got your back.”
Amy Schneider, the first openly transgender winner of the famous quiz show “Jeopardy!” will meet with second gentleman Doug Emhoff at the White House. Separately, Emhoff and Admiral Rachel Levine, the assistant secretary for health at the Department of Health and Human Services, will hold a discussion with transgender children and their parents.
Levine is the Senate’s first openly transgender government officer to be confirmed. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona will meet with LGBTQ+ students in Florida. According to the White House, HHS will also be the first agency to fly a trans pride flag.
Published By: Apoorva Wakodikar
Edited By: Subbuthai Padma
