What happened.
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned a lower court ruling that had blocked former President Donald Trump’s administration from enforcing a policy allowing only “male” and “female” gender options on U.S. passports. The move temporarily reinstates the rule requiring the designation of sex assigned at birth, removing the previously available “X” option. The decision represents a setback for inclusive gender recognition policies promoted under previous administrations.
Why it matters.
The measure directly affects transgender and nonbinary individuals who will no longer be able to reflect their gender identity on official documents. Civil rights groups have voiced concern over the practical consequences of the decision, particularly for travel and identification. The change aligns with Trump’s renewed push for a stricter gender policy during his second term, limiting federal recognition of diverse identities across government institutions.
What’s next.
The case has been sent back to a lower court, meaning the legal battle is far from over. Meanwhile, the State Department will enforce the restriction until a final ruling is issued. Several advocacy organizations plan to continue appealing and lobbying through legal and legislative channels to reinstate the “X” marker and ensure full gender identity recognition on official documents.
