ALBAWABA - Hollywood actress and model Hunter Schafer has voiced her frustration after discovering that her newly issued passport now lists her gender as male, despite identifying and applying as female.
This issue stems from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, restricting gender recognition to only male and female as assigned at birth in official federal documents.
Hunter Schafer Speaks Out: "I Was Shocked"
Schafer, known for her role in the hit HBO series Euphoria, took to social media to share an eight-minute video detailing her experience and reaction.
"I'm not posting this to create fear, drama, or to seek sympathy—I don't need that. But I think it’s important to highlight the reality of the situation and what’s happening. I was shocked—I didn’t think this would actually happen," she stated.
Schafer explained that she first updated her driver's license and passport as a teenager but never changed her birth certificate. After losing her passport recently, she applied for a replacement. However, when she received the new document this week, she was surprised to find the gender marker incorrect.
"I remember on Trump's first day in office, he signed an executive order recognizing only two genders—male and female assigned at birth," she said. "As a result, the State Department froze passport applications requesting gender changes or renewals that differed from the applicant’s assigned sex at birth."
This aligns with a recent executive order signed by President Trump, which mandates that gender markers on newly issued passports must align with the sex assigned at birth and that the federal government will only recognize male and female genders.
Schafer acknowledged her privilege as a white, wealthy transgender woman, but emphasized that this policy impacts all trans people, regardless of status or visibility.
"No matter how rich, white, or beautiful you are, you're still excluded. I don't care that my passport now has an 'M' on it—it doesn't change my identity or who I am as a trans woman. But it does make life harder," she stated.
She expressed concerns that the passport gender marker discrepancy could lead to increased scrutiny and discrimination, particularly during border checks and international travel.
"I may have to out myself to border patrol when traveling, and I think of all the trans women and other transgender individuals who might be affected by this," Schafer added.
This executive order is part of a series of policy rollbacks targeting LGBTQ+ rights, with Trump’s administration reversing protections for transgender individuals in areas such as education, healthcare, and legal documentation.
Despite her personal frustrations, Schafer remains committed to raising awareness about the impact of these policies. She called on the trans community and allies to continue advocating for gender recognition rights and push back against discriminatory policies.
Her experience has already ignited widespread discussions online, with many trans rights activists condemning the policy change and urging legislative action to protect transgender individuals from further government-imposed restrictions.
