Hunter Schafer Expresses Shock Over Passport Gender Marker Change
Hunter Schafer, the transgender actress known for her role in HBO’s hit series Euphoria, has revealed that her new U.S. passport incorrectly lists her as male, despite her selecting female on the application form.
Schafer, 26, took to TikTok to share her disbelief upon seeing the “M” marker on her passport. “I was shocked,” she said, noting that her previous passport correctly listed her as female. The actress had applied for a new passport after losing her previous one while filming overseas.
Schafer linked this issue to a controversial executive order signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump on his first day back in office. The order states that the U.S. government will only recognize male and female sexes based on a person’s birth record. As a result, the U.S. State Department now only issues passports with “M” or “F” markers that align with biological sex at birth.
Previously, under the Biden administration, Americans could select their gender identity for passports and even opt for an “X” marker for non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming individuals.
Schafer expressed concerns about potential travel challenges due to the passport error. “I’m pretty sure it’s going to come along with having to out myself to border patrol agents much more often than I would like to,” she said.
She also emphasized the broader impact of the policy change, saying, “I just feel like it’s important to share that this is real, and it’s happening. No one is excluded, no matter their circumstance.”
The actress mentioned that she had successfully updated her gender markers on her driver’s license and previous passports when she was a teenager. However, her birth certificate was never amended, which may have led to this issue under the new policy.
Many of Schafer’s fans and supporters have expressed their outrage over the situation, with some calling for the policy to be challenged. Advocacy groups for transgender rights have also voiced concerns about the implications of this executive order on trans and non-binary individuals.
Schafer plays Jules Vaughn, a transgender teenager, in Euphoria, a role that has resonated with many in the LGBTQ+ community. With season three of the series underway, her personal experiences continue to highlight the real-world struggles faced by transgender individuals.
As Schafer prepares for her upcoming travels, she faces uncertainty and potential obstacles due to her passport’s gender marker change. Her story sheds light on the challenges that transgender individuals encounter under shifting policies, prompting discussions on identity rights and government recognition. – BBC
