Its not exactly breaking news anymore, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting. On Wednesday the State Department announced new policy guidelines on gender changes in passports.
You can read the official statement at the State Department website if you’d like. It basically means that you can finally get the sex indication on your passport changed with a doctor’s note. Previously this required surgery not all transfolk wanted, let alone could afford.
So, why is this important? As the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund puts it,
Transgender Americans face extreme danger when traveling abroad in the many countries that are hostile to them. Many also experience harassment when entering and leaving this country. Adoption of this safety-focused policy is a giant step forward in protecting transgender Americans and in fulfilling the State Department’s commitment to protect all Americans when they travel, work or live overseas.
Closer to home, its a relief for transgender job hunters who don’t want to be outed to future employers. A passport can be used for the IRS Employment Eligibility Form, which most employers require.
The new policy is based on reccomendations from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and the AMA. I love it when the government creates policies that are backed by things like science and professional opinions. Sure beats oppressive (and dangerous) ones based on the idea that customs agents and employers need to know what’s in your pants.
