This update explains how federal passport changes affect UW’s nonbinary and trans travelers—and what support is available.
What happened
For many nonbinary and transgender people, having an “X” gender marker on a passport isn’t just paperwork — it’s being accurately recognized for who they are. It’s about safety, and about having identification that aligns with how they understand themselves.
In January 2025, Executive Order 14168 directed federal agencies to recognize only “male” and “female” on government documents, challenging that recognition and raising concerns about the validity of “X”-marker passports.
After several civil rights groups filed lawsuits, a federal court temporarily blocked the order in June 2025. For now, “X”-marker passports remain valid, but uncertainty continues for travelers and students.
How it developed｜Timeline
The “X” gender marker didn’t appear overnight—it’s the result of years of advocacy, recognition, and ongoing debate about who gets to be seen.
And long before 2021, trans and nonbinary communities fought for safety, legal visibility, and documents that reflected their lived identities.
| Time | Key Event | What It Means |
| Pre–June 2021 | Decades of organizing and advocacy by trans and nonbinary communities for safety, legal recognition, and documents that reflect who they are. | The “X” marker did not begin in 2021— its recognition stands on the long history of trans and nonbinary people fighting to live safely, fully, and authentically. |
| June 2021 | The U.S. Department of State announced that passport applicants could select M, F, or X without medical documentation. | The first step toward recognizing nonbinary and transgender identities is through self-declaration. |
| April 2022 | The first official “X” gender-marker passports were issued to U.S. citizens. | “X” became an official third gender option on U.S. passports. |
| January 2025 | The White House issued Executive Order 14168, requiring all federal documents to list only “male” or “female.” | The order attempted to revoke the “X” option, sparking legal and human-rights challenges. |
| February 2025 → present | Civil-rights groups (Lambda Legal, ACLU) filed lawsuits arguing that EO 14168 is unconstitutional. | Advocacy organizations challenged the order as violating equal protection and due-process rights. |
| June 17 2025 | A federal judge (Julia Kobick) blocked the order, restoring the right to choose “X.” | The court temporarily suspended the executive order, keeping the “X” option valid. |
| October 2025 | Several countries (Canada, Denmark, Germany, Finland) issued travel advisories about possible issues entering or transiting the U.S. with “X”-marker passports. | Governments warned that U.S. systems may not consistently recognize the “X” marker. |
| Ongoing → 2025 | U.S. agencies (TSA and CBP) continue to accept “X” passports, but implementation can vary. Some airline databases still recognize only M/F, and individual TSA agents may act at their own discretion — making it important for travelers to know their legal rights. | “X” passports remain valid for travel, but technical inconsistencies persist. |
Why it matters
This isn’t just a policy change—it affects how people move, how they’re recognized, and how safe they feel, both on and beyond campus.
Mobility & Access:
- Many Huskies travel for study abroad, research, or to visit family. Policies that question the “X” marker can complicate visas, border checks, and flight systems.
Recognition & Safety:
- When identity markers are limited to “M” or “F,” nonbinary and transgender community members face greater risks of being misgendered or singled out while traveling.
System Alignment:
- This issue shows that some UW systems (like registration, HR, and health insurance) still record gender in only two options, which can lead to errors, confusion, overcomplicated processes, and ultimately limited access to resources for nonbinary community members.
Equity & Inclusion:
- Ensuring that every Husky’s identity is respected in travel, documentation, and campus records is part of creating a truly inclusive UW.
Community Responsibility:
- Inclusion is not guaranteed by federal policy; it depends on how institutions like UW protect recognition and safety in practice. UW is already actively protecting nonbinary travelers, and is committed to safety + recognition in practice.
Impact
From federal policy shifts to everyday experiences, the ripple effects of uncertainty travel with our community—shaping access, well-being, and belonging at UW.
- Federal Uncertainty: “X”-marker passports question who is officially recognized.
- Travel Barriers: This uncertainty travels with people, creating barriers in mobility, like extra checks, delays, or confusion at borders.
- Emotional Stress: These experiences generate stress and anxiety, especially for students who already face extra steps to be recognized.
- Opportunity Gaps: The stress also leads to missed or avoided global opportunities, reinforcing inequality in who can participate.
- Record differences inside UW: Within UW, these mismatches can be stressful and can unnecessarily complicate academic processes.
- Campus Climate: These barriers and mismatches also shape how UW updates its forms and databases to reflect all gender identities. Together, they influence whether Huskies feel safe, recognized, and included.
How to respond / Resources
While policies may change, preparation and connection help every Husky travel safely and authentically. Here’s where to start.
| Action | Description & Resources |
| Stay Informed | – Follow the U.S. Department of State and Lambda Legal for the latest updates on “X”-marker passports. – If you face issues during travel, document the situation and seek legal or advocacy help. 🔗 travel.state.gov – Passport Sex Marker Policy 🔗 Lambda Legal – Travel Tips for Nonbinary Travelers |
| Plan Ahead | – Confirm whether your destination country recognizes the “X” gender marker before studying abroad, conferences, or family visits. – Contact UW Office of Global Affairs and International Student Services (ISS) for guidance on travel requirements. 🔗 UW Office of Global Affairs – Travel Resources 🔗 UW ISS – Travel & Reentry |
| Align Records | – Take time to decide whether you want your preferred name and pronouns reflected in official UW systems (MyUW, Registrar, HR, Health Insurance). Recognition matters, and protecting your safety and comfort under current circumstances matters too. – If you choose to update your records, check that your information is correct across systems and reach out to Registrar Support or Human Resources for available options. |
| Care for Well-Being | – Traveling with uncertainty can be stressful—seek support before or after your trip. – Reach out to UW Counseling Center or drop in at the Q Center for confidential support and community connection. 🔗 UW Counseling Center 🔗 UW Q Center – Support & Community |
| Share Awareness | – Share reliable information within your departments and friend groups. – Conversations about travel prep, inclusive data systems, and pronoun respect help strengthen a culture of recognition and safety across campus. |