(The Center Square) – U.S. citizens could have to specify either male or female on passports, rather than a current third option of “X” – unspecified or another gender identity.
U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, wants the new option to end and introduced legislation to stop it.
“The last thing the State Department should be doing is wasting its time and your tax dollars pushing far-left gender ideology,” Vance said. “There are only two genders – passports issued by the United States government should recognize that simple fact. I am proud to introduce this bill to restore some sanity in our federal bureaucracy.”
The U.S. issued its first “X” passport in October 2021. The Williams Institute, a part of UCLA’s law school, estimated in the spring, nearly 17,000 people may request the designation annually. Vance said the U.S. State Department is the first federal government agency to offer the “X” gender marker on an identity document.
Also, 21 states and the District of Columbia allow for an “X” designation in driver’s licenses.
The state department announced in the spring the official change in policy to allow for the new designation.
“After thoughtful consideration of the research conducted and feedback from community members, we concluded that the definition of the X gender marker on State Department public forms will be ‘unspecified or another gender identity.’ This definition is respectful of individuals’ privacy while advancing inclusion,” the state department said in a news release.
Congressman Chip Roy, R-Texas, introduced companion legislation in the House, saying Congress should act to stop the designation.
“There are two sexes – male and female – and government documents like passports should reflect that self-evident truth,” Roy said in a statement. “Passports exist to accurately identify people, not play pretend with radical gender ideology. Anti-science, radical gender ideology has no place in our government, and it’s time for Congress to step in and restore sanity.”
