January 1, US issues the first passport with a nonbinary gender option

The State Department issued the first official passport with the gender marker “X” to be more inclusive for people who identify as nonbinary, intersex, or otherwise gender non-conforming.

“I want to reiterate, on the occasion of this passport issuance, the Department of State’s commitment to promoting the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people – including LGBTQI+ persons,” said State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

The Biden administration announced the change following a lawsuit from an intersex and nonbinary Colorado resident, Dana Zzyym, who argued it was impossible to get an accurate passport because of the limited gender options.

“It’s great news for all intersex and nonbinary people, because it basically says that we can get our passports,” Zzyym said. “We don’t have to lie to get our passports. We can just be ourselves.”

Lambda Legal, Zzyym’s legal representative, announced that Zzyym received the first passport with the new gender marker.

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The U.S. issues the first passport with a nonbinary gender ‘X’ option