Americans who identify as nonbinary, or neither entirely male nor female, have long advocated for an “X” designation on government IDs. United States issues its 1st passport with ‘X’ gender marker. It denotes someone who is neither exclusively male nor female, informed the State Department.
The department did not identify the passport recipient. Dana Zzyym, an intersex activist from Fort Collins, Colorado, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that they received it. Since 2015, Zzyym, who prefers a gender-neutral pronoun. He has clearly been involved in a court struggle with the State Department to get a passport that did not force Zzyym to lie about her gender by selecting either male or female. The State Department says it expects to be able to offer the “X” designation to more people early next year.
I’m not a problem. I’m a human being. That’s the point
Zzyym, 63, said it is exciting to finally acquire the passport. Clearly, the purpose was to help the next generation of intersex persons gain recognition. To gain recognition as complete citizens with rights, not to travel the world. “I’m not a problem. I’m a human being. That’s the point,” mentions Zzyym. He has an arm tattoo that reads, “Never give up,” a reminder of goals to accomplish in life.
Moreover, he served in the Navy as a male. Eventually, he identified as transgender while working and studying at Colorado State University. Consequently, Zzyym was unable to attend two Organization Intersex International meetings due to the State Department’s refusal of his passport. “Intersex, nonbinary, and transgender people need identity documents that accurately reflect who we are, and having mismatched documents can create problems with safety and visibility,” said Mary Emily O’Hara of GLAAD. It is the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization.
Jessica Stern is the U.S. special diplomatic envoy for LGBTQ rights. “When a person obtains identity documents that reflect their true identity, they live with greater dignity and respect,” Stern says. As a result the Department’s passport application and system to update with the “X” designation option are still awaiting clearance from the Office of Management and Budget.
“We see this as a way of affirming and uplifting the human rights of trans and intersex. Gender-nonconforming and nonbinary people everywhere,” Stern says. Stern stated that her agency intends to discuss the United States’ experience with the change in its dealings across the world. In the hopes of inspiring other governments to offer the choice.
