U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently introduced a rule requiring airlines to ignore “X” sex markers on U.S. passports, mandating that they use “M” or “F” markers instead. This rule has raised concerns among individuals holding “X” markers regarding their ability to fly internationally. The “X” marker was first made available to U.S. passport holders in 2022 to provide a more accurate identification option for individuals with non-binary gender identities.
Andy Izenson, a senior legal director at the Chosen Family Law Center, commented on the uncertainty around the practical implications of this new rule. While “X” markers are still deemed valid travel documents, a U.S. district court in Massachusetts confirmed that they must be recognized as such amidst past attempts by the Trump administration to ban them.
Despite the legal acknowledgment of “X” markers, the new CBP rule could complicate travel for transgender and non-binary individuals. There is ambiguity about how airline staff and border control agents will handle passports with “X” markers, including potential issues during security screenings. The CBP clarified that foreign travelers presenting authorized U.S. travel documents would be processed similarly as before, but new applicants for Trusted Traveler Programs must select one of the two gender designations.
Dr. July Pilowsky, a U.S. citizen residing in Spain, expressed that the new rule complicates their travel experiences due to past difficulties at airports linked to their gender expression and identity documents. Pilowsky, who opted for the “X” gender marker to avoid bureaucratic issues, now feels compelled to seek legal counsel for future travel to the U.S., raising questions about how this policy will evolve and affect different individuals.
Future legal challenges to this policy might arise as its implementation affects various users differently based on identity factors and travel circumstances.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/18/airlines-passports-x-sex-marker