Surgery no longer a requirement for changing gender on passport
Wow. This is huge. I mean, beyond just huge. Like I cannot even begin to explain how big of a deal this is, particularly when coming from a Federal agency. Like OMG, I never saw this coming.
Admittedly, it's not the end all, be all perfect or ideal solution many in the trans activism would like to see*, but it is a heck of a lot better than was required previously or what many of us feared might happen.
* which, for myself, would be the elimination of a gender marker on things like passports, driver's licenses and identification cards. I mean, seriously, what purpose do they serve, other than possibly to protect from some imagined trans menace?
Anyway link to CNN article.
Surgery no longer a requirement for changing gender on passport
By the CNN Wire Staff
Washington (CNN) -- The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday a new policy that no longer requires passport applicants seeking a gender change to have undergone sexual reassignment surgery.
The policy, which goes into effect Thursday, allows a gender change with a certification from an attending physician.
The doctor's certification must confirm only that the passport applicant has undergone treatment for gender transition. Limited-validity passports for applicants who are in the process of gender transition also will be available under the policy.
Previously, individuals had to provide documentation from a surgeon that sex reassignment surgery had been performed on them, according to the National Center for Transgender Equality.
The announcement was made to coincide with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month, the State Department said.
Admittedly, it's not the end all, be all perfect or ideal solution many in the trans activism would like to see*, but it is a heck of a lot better than was required previously or what many of us feared might happen.
* which, for myself, would be the elimination of a gender marker on things like passports, driver's licenses and identification cards. I mean, seriously, what purpose do they serve, other than possibly to protect from some imagined trans menace?
Anyway link to CNN article.
Surgery no longer a requirement for changing gender on passport
By the CNN Wire Staff
Washington (CNN) -- The U.S. State Department announced Wednesday a new policy that no longer requires passport applicants seeking a gender change to have undergone sexual reassignment surgery.
The policy, which goes into effect Thursday, allows a gender change with a certification from an attending physician.
The doctor's certification must confirm only that the passport applicant has undergone treatment for gender transition. Limited-validity passports for applicants who are in the process of gender transition also will be available under the policy.
Previously, individuals had to provide documentation from a surgeon that sex reassignment surgery had been performed on them, according to the National Center for Transgender Equality.
The announcement was made to coincide with Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month, the State Department said.