Last month, the U.S. introduced a new gender option on its passports, represented by the letter "X". It is meant for those of "unspecified gender or another gender identity". In doing so, it joined a modest contingent of 15 countries which allow a third-gender option on their passports. The map below from The Economist shows which countries belong to this rather new club:
Each country has its own nomenclature for the third gender: "diverse" in Germany, "intermediate" in Colombia, etc. but the general idea is universal: to offer an option for those who don't fit into the usual two options. Some countries, colored teal on the map, require its citizens to produce a medical certification which attests to their gender fluidity in order to qualify for the third gender option. This condition draws criticism, with many arguing that there is more to gender than physical indicators.
In the U.S., the "X" option is the result of an 8-year long legal battle, which began when Dana Zzyym from Colorado refused to elect "M" or "F" on their passport application form, instead writing "intersex" above the boxes. After they were denied a passport, they sued the State Department. In April, Mx Zzyym was the first American to receive a passport with an "X" gender marker, paving the way for many more nonbinary and intersex Americans - which represent several millions, according to the Williams Institute at UCLA and interACT, an intersex advocacy group.
It's worth noting that 14 U.S. states don't let their constituents update their gender marker on their birth certificates without proof of genital surgery, a process that somewhat resembles that of teal countries on the map. When it comes to passports, however, the new law is meant to enable people to self-select without having to provide any documentation.
Of course, the map above is not an overall depiction of countries' advancement in allyship and gender equity. Having options beyond "M" or "F" on passports is but one of the many changes needed to create more inclusive societies.
Written by: Albert Margossian
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