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The implications of a recent executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump on Canadians holding gender-neutral passports remain uncertain. The order, issued on Monday, mandates that the U.S. government officially recognizes only two genders: male and female. It further stipulates that all federal documents, including passports, must use the term “sex” in place of “gender.”
Since 2019, Canadians who do not identify strictly as male or female have had the option to indicate their gender as “X” on their passports. However, with the establishment of this new directive in the U.S., there are growing concerns about how Canadians with such designations may be treated when attempting to enter the country.
Inquiries made to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency by CBC News regarding how travelers with an “X” on their passports might be affected were redirected to the White House press office, which has not yet provided clarity on the issue.
Helen Kennedy, executive director at Egale Canada, a prominent advocacy organization, expressed that the situation is quite alarming for Canadians who possess gender-neutral passports as well as for the broader 2SLGBTQ+ community. “The uncertainty surrounding this matter makes it difficult for individuals to gauge whether it is safe to travel to the United States,” she remarked.
Fae Johnstone, executive director of Queer Momentum, indicated that the current circumstances have prompted her to avoid U.S. travel, fearing potential complications or outright rejection of her passport at border entry points. She described the order as an “existential assault” on the rights and recognition of transgender and gender-diverse individuals both in America and globally.
Kennedy noted that carrying a gender-neutral passport has already posed challenges in the U.S. “There are no measures preventing border officers from denying entry to individuals presenting an ‘X’ on their passports,” she stated, emphasizing that this policy development formalizes an existing level of scrutiny.
Travel Advisory Updates from Canada
In response to these developments, Global Affairs Canada has acknowledged awareness of Trump’s executive order, assuring that they are monitoring the situation closely. The department has advised Canadians to keep abreast of updates on its travel advisory website.
A current advisory indicates that individuals listing their gender as “X” may encounter restrictions while traveling and reminds travelers that the Canadian government cannot guarantee entry into other countries. Furthermore, the advisory has been recently revised to reflect new anti-2SLGBTQ+ legislation enacted in several U.S. states.
Canadians are cautioned to be aware of laws that could criminalize same-sex relationships or target individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Kennedy and Johnstone have called for more comprehensive guidance to be issued by the Canadian government regarding the implications of crossing the U.S. border for transgender and non-binary individuals.
“As a community, we are extremely aware of the shifting legal landscape in the U.S., and many are understandably cautious about traveling,” Kennedy stated, stressing that it is vital for the Canadian government to provide clearer information on the evolving circumstances.
Until there is further clarity, Kennedy advises that anyone holding a gender-neutral passport should reconsider any planned travel to the U.S., unless absolutely necessary.
Source
www.cbc.ca