Trans star of hit HBO series says new passport now says male after Trump order
Hunter Schafer, a well-known transgender actor and a star of the hit HBO series “Euphoria,” recently made headlines after revealing that her new passport was issued with a male gender marker due to an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. Schafer, who transitioned to female during her teenage years, took to social media to share her experience of having her gender marker changed on her passport.
In a video posted on TikTok, Schafer explained how her passport was stolen while she was filming in Spain, prompting her to obtain an emergency passport. However, when she applied for a new permanent passport in Los Angeles, she was shocked to discover that her gender marker had been changed to male. This marked a significant departure from her original passport, which correctly identified her as female.
Despite the challenges she faced, Schafer emphasized that she was not seeking sympathy or creating drama with her post. Instead, she wanted to shed light on the reality of the situation and raise awareness about the impact of such policies on transgender individuals. In the video, Schafer defiantly asserted, “Trans people are beautiful. We are never going to stop existing. I’m never gonna stop being trans. A letter and a passport can’t change that. And f— this administration.”
The root of Schafer’s passport issue stems from an executive order signed by President Trump on his first day in office. The order, titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” mandates that official documents, including passports, only recognize two sexes based on immutable biological characteristics – male and female. As a result, the State Department, responsible for issuing passports, no longer allows for the “X” gender marker that was introduced in 2021 and refuses to honor requests to change gender markers between “M” and “F.”
Acknowledging the impact of the executive order on her own life, Schafer expressed frustration with the new passport designation. She noted that while she had female gender markers on her license and passport for years, the recent change to male had made her life more challenging. Despite these obstacles, Schafer remained steadfast in her identity, affirming, “It doesn’t really change anything about me or my transness. However, it does make my life a little harder.”
In response to the discriminatory policy, seven individuals represented by the American Civil Liberties Union have filed a lawsuit, arguing that it violates privacy and First Amendment rights. The ACLU has reported receiving over 1,500 inquiries from transgender individuals and their families who are concerned about obtaining passports that accurately reflect their gender identity.
As Schafer prepares to travel with her new passport, she stands as a defiant symbol of resilience and authenticity in the face of bureaucratic discrimination. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by the transgender community and the importance of advocating for equality and inclusion.
