The White House and State Department decided to celebrate the completely fictitious holiday of “Transgender Day of Visibility” in a way that only this ridiculous administration would.
It announced that, beginning on April 11, United States citizens would be able to mark an “X”, in addition to the traditional M and F (for male and female) on their passports.
No, this is not for the select group of comic book heroes known as the X-Men, although that name is controversial as someone, somewhere likely believes they should be called the X-Nonbinary, Two Spirit, Androgynous, Genderfluid, Cisgender, Genderqueer, Inclusive Persons.
“The Department of State is announcing that beginning on April 11, 2022, all U.S. citizens will be able select an “X” as their gender marker on their U.S. passport application. This is a major step in delivering on the President’s commitment to expand access to accurate identification documents for transgender and non-binary Americans,” the administration said.
Oh, but that is not all.
“The Department of Homeland Security is announcing several important reforms to improve the traveler experience for all Americans, particularly for transgender Americans,” the administration said.
Goody, what could they be?
“Implementing enhanced screening technology. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will soon begin updating its Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) body scanners with new technology that will increase security and efficiency by reducing false alarm rates and pat-downs for the traveling public. By replacing the current, gender-based system with this more accurate technology, TSA will improve the customer experience of transgender travelers who have previously been required to undergo additional screening due to alarms in sensitive areas. This new technology will help to improve the experience of travelers, particularly those who are transgender and non-binary travelers. TSA will begin deploying this new technology in airports throughout the country later this year,” it said.
“Expanding airline partnerships to enhance the overall travel experience. TSA is working closely with air carriers across the nation to promote the use and acceptance of the “X” gender marker to ensure more efficient and accurate passenger processing. As of March 31st, two major domestic air carriers already offer a third gender marker option in their travel-reservation systems, with a third air carrier planning to offer this option in the Fall of 2022,” the administration said.
“Streamlining identity validation. TSA has updated its Standard Operating Procedures to remove gender considerations when validating a traveler’s identification at airport security checkpoints. This ensures that TSOs can accurately and efficiently validate each traveler’s identity while avoiding unnecessary delays,” it announced.
“Updating TSA PreCheck and CBP Trusted Traveler Programs enrollment to include “X” gender markers. The Department of Homeland Security is beginning the process of adding “X” gender markers options in Trusted Traveler programs and the TSA PreCheck program to enhance access for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming travelers to these programs,” it said.
In October the United States issued its first X marked passport to Dana Zzyym, who identifies as neither of the genders that have been used throughout all of human history until a few years ago, after the Colorado resident was denied a passport for not checking male or female.
“I almost burst into tears when I opened the envelope, pulled out my new passport, and saw the ‘X’ stamped boldly under ‘sex,’” Zzyym said. “It took six years, but to have an accurate passport, one that doesn’t force me to identify as male or female but recognizes I am neither, is liberating.”
