Trump Executive Order
How is Trump's executive order on gender recognition affecting transgender individuals' passport applications?
Trump's executive order has immediately impacted transgender people by requiring passports to only recognize male or female gender markers, eliminating the X gender marker option. Transgender individuals like Ashton Colby can no longer obtain passports that match their gender identity. The State Department is holding pending applications and returning documents to transgender people with gender markers that don't match their identity and expression. This creates serious risks for transgender people, especially those seeking gender-affirming care, as they may need passports to travel abroad for treatment but cannot obtain appropriate documentation.
Watch clip answer (01:39m)
NBC News
00:45 - 02:25
How would Ashton Colby like to see the transgender policy situation move forward under the Trump administration?
Ashton Colby would like President Trump and his advisors to engage directly with transgender people in personal meetings. He emphasizes the importance of face-to-face dialogue where both parties can see the humanity in each other and develop empathy through hearing personal stories. Colby believes that such interactions would help policymakers understand the challenges transgender individuals face rather than trying to "legislate them out of existence." He suggests that meaningful conversation could lead to more compassionate and inclusive policies.
Watch clip answer (01:05m)
NBC News
04:15 - 05:20
Do you have faith that if this gets to the Supreme Court, they'll come down on your side?
Ashton Colby expresses hope and faith in the Supreme Court upholding transgender rights. He believes every person deserves the basic human right to have identification documents that accurately reflect who they are. Despite current challenges, Colby maintains trust that the Supreme Court will recognize transgender Americans deserve dignity and respect, emphasizing that legal recognition of transgender identities is fundamentally about human rights rather than politics. He argues that transgender Americans should be afforded the same respect as all citizens, with proper legal recognition of their identities.
Watch clip answer (00:52m)NBC News
05:20 - 06:13
How is President Trump's executive order affecting transgender individuals' passport rights?
President Trump's executive order declared the U.S. government will recognize only two sexes (male and female), resulting in significant changes to passport policies. The State Department confirmed to NBC News it has stopped issuing passports with X gender markers, which are preferred by many non-binary people. Additionally, the department is no longer processing applications for those trying to change their gender marker on existing passports or obtain new ones that reflect their gender identity rather than their sex assigned at birth. This policy reversal directly impacts transgender individuals' ability to obtain identification documents that align with their gender expression, creating practical challenges for their daily lives and travel.
Watch clip answer (00:35m)NBC News
00:10 - 00:45
How does the executive order affect families with transgender children seeking gender-affirming care?
The executive order impacts families with transgender children who are beginning or in the midst of gender-affirming care by restricting their ability to obtain passports that reflect their gender identity. These families have been seeking passports as a contingency plan in case they need to travel to other countries to receive or continue gender-affirming care that may be unavailable domestically. Unfortunately, these families are currently unable to secure the necessary documentation, effectively preventing them from accessing care options abroad. This situation creates additional barriers for transgender youth and their families who are already navigating complex healthcare challenges, leaving them without crucial travel options when domestic gender-affirming care may be restricted.
Watch clip answer (00:18m)NBC News
01:48 - 02:06
How does President Trump's executive order on gender recognition impact the transgender community?
President Trump's executive order has immediate and significant impacts on transgender Americans. The order halts the issuance of US Passports with X gender markers, affecting non-binary individuals and creating challenges for those whose identification documents don't align with their gender identity. According to Ashton Colby, a transgender advocate interviewed in the clip, this creates real-world difficulties concerning safety and dignity for transgender people. The order took effect immediately, affecting both applications in progress and all future applications, leaving many in the transgender community facing uncertainty about their official documentation.
Watch clip answer (00:14m)
NBC News
00:40 - 00:54