Credited from: HUFFPOST
Key Takeaways:
Hunter Schafer, the acclaimed transgender actress best known for her role in HBO's hit series Euphoria, revealed in a recent social media post that her newly issued U.S. passport incorrectly lists her gender as male, despite having identified as female on her application. This incident has drawn significant attention to the implications of President Donald Trump's controversial executive order, which restricts gender recognition to only two categories: male and female, based on biological sex at birth.
In an eight-minute TikTok video shared with her followers, the 26-year-old actress expressed her shock at the change and attributed the passport discrepancy to the wider implications of the Trump administration's policies regarding transgender individuals. "I filled everything out just like I normally would. I put female, and when I opened it up, they had changed the marker to male," Schafer stated emphatically.
The order, signed on the first day of Trump's presidency, has led to a significant freeze on processing applications for gender marker changes in passports. CBS News has reported that this policy impacts not only passport applications but also reflects a broader denial of gender identity recognition within federal documentation.
Schafer's experience came after she lost her previous passport while working abroad, prompting a renewal application where she maintained her female identity. "I'm sure most of us remember the first day of Trump's presidency when he declared only two genders recognized by the state," she remarked in her video. "Today I saw it." This reflection echoes a sentiment shared by many in the transgender community who feel that the current administration’s policies enact real harm.
Despite this distressing situation, Schafer stated in her video, "I don’t give a f*** that they put an M on my passport. It doesn’t change anything about me or my transness. However, it does make life a little harder," emphasizing the additional challenges she anticipates when traveling internationally, such as potentially having to disclose her transgender identity more frequently to border officials.
Transgender advocacy groups have condemned the implementation of these measures, advocating for inclusivity and the acceptance of diverse gender identities. The ACLU has filed lawsuits challenging the discriminatory nature of the executive orders. "Trans people are beautiful. We are never going to stop existing, and I will never stop being trans," Schafer declared passionately, affirming her identity and resilience in the face of adversity.
For more details on this developing story, visit Newsweek.