The United States Is Adding A Third Gender Option To Passports

The United States is adding a third gender option to passports. 

Nonbinary, intersex, and gender-nonconforming will now be listed as an identity option when a person applies for an American passport, according to PEOPLE. The new option was announced in a news release from the Secretary of State Anthony Blinken this Wednesday. The department says the effort is its way of moving “toward ensuring the fair treatment of LGBTQI+ U.S. citizens, regardless of their gender or sex.”

“The Department has begun moving towards adding a gender marker for non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming persons applying for a passport or CRBA,” he said in a statement. “We are evaluating the best approach to achieve this goal.”

“The process of adding a gender marker for non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming persons to these documents is technologically complex and will take time for extensive systems updates,” Blinken added. “The Department will also be working closely with its interagency partners to ensure as smooth a travel experience as possible for the passport holder.”

Right now, the only gender options are “F” and “M,” which signify the female and male genders.