Transgender Americans Challenge Trump Passport Policy

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging a recent executive order titled 'Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth', which mandates that passports reflect the sex assigned at birth, prohibiting nonbinary and intersex individuals from using the 'X' gender marker. The lawsuit, supported by multiple plaintiffs, claims the policy violates constitutional rights, including the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses, by discriminating against transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals. Plaintiffs argue that the policy disrupts their lives, prevents them from obtaining passports with accurate gender markers, and exposes them to potential safety risks when traveling. The State Department has ceased processing gender marker changes and has begun rejecting related passport applications, leading to significant challenges for affected individuals. Some plaintiffs, such as Reid Solomon-Lane and Miles, have been left without valid identification, hindering their ability to travel and participate fully in public life.