Credit: Kimberly P. Mitchell via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Syndication: Detroit Free Press
New York (77WABC) – The State Department on Wednesday is making it easier for US citizens to select their preferred gender on passports, in the latest effort by the Biden administration’s support for LGBTQI+ rights.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that passport holders will be able to decide for themselves whether to be described as male or female, as well as adding the option of “X”. Americans were previously required to have medical certification if they wanted mark a gender on their passports different than on their birth certificates or other documents.
https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/1410255490144219137
“The Department of State is committed to promoting the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people – including LGBTQI+ persons,” Blinken said in a statement. “Since assuming office, President Biden has taken several executive actions demonstrating this administration’s commitment to human rights and has directed agencies across the U.S. government to take concrete actions to promote and protect the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons around the world.”
This comes as Governor Andrew Cuomo passed the Gender Recognition Act Thursday, allowing New Yorkers to use “X” as a non-binary designation on New York State driver’s licenses. It also ensures that New Yorkers will be able to have their gender identity on official documents, as well as name and gender designation changes to be sealed more easily.
The Biden administration’s effort marks the last day of Pride Month on June 30.
