Aimee Walker
The United States has issued its first-ever gender-neutral passport.
Dana Zzyym received the official document, which features an ‘X’ under gender designation.
Zzyym, from Fort Collins, in Colorado, told the Associated Press that the passport ‘belongs to them,’ and that they’d been in a ‘battle with the government’ over it since 2015.
British Airways Ditch ‘Ladies’ and ‘Gentlemen’ For Gender-Neutral Terms
The 66-year-old, who identifies as non-binary and is an intersex activist, described it as ‘an exciting moment for them’.
They said: “I get to go places and say ‘yes, this is who I am’.”
Zzyym said before they got the passport, it felt like ‘they were in prison’.
They continued: “You’re denied a status of being human and it’s like I was not a citizen of this country because I was denied access to leave and only felons and prisoners are not allowed to travel.
“I’m not a problem. I’m a human being. That’s the point.”
The activist allegedly sued the state department when they were denied a passport after failing to select male or female on an application.
According to court documents, they wrote ‘Intersex’ above the boxes marked ‘M’ and ‘F’ and requested an ‘X’ instead in a separate letter.
Court documents also revealed Zzyym was born with ambiguous physical sexual characteristics and had several surgeries that failed to make them appear male.
The move, which gives choice to non-binary, intersex, and gender-nonconforming US citizens, is the latest move in President Joe Biden’s LGBT+ agenda.
Jessica Stern, who was appointed by Biden as the US Special Envoy to Advance the rights of LGBTQI+ people, said: “I want to reiterate, on the occasion of this passport issuance, the Department of State’s commitment to promoting the freedom, dignity, and equality of all people – including LGBTQI+ persons.
“When a person obtains identity documents that reflect their true identity, they live with greater dignity and respect.”
Over 10 countries around the world already offer a third gender on documents, including Australia, Germany and India.
Watch our Video of the Day below…
Do you have a story for us? If so, email us at [email protected]. All contact will be treated in confidence.
