This was necessary.
In a decisive move to restore clarity and uphold traditional values, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a halt to the controversial practice of allowing Americans to designate their gender as “X” on U.S. passports. This change comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order reinforcing the policy that recognizes only two sexes—male and female—based on biological and immutable characteristics.
The shift was communicated to State Department personnel in an internal cable sent on Thursday. It made clear that moving forward, “sex” will be the sole designation used on official documents, such as passports and birth certificates, issued by U.S. embassies and consulates abroad. As part of the directive, State Department staff were instructed to immediately suspend any passport applications that requested the “X” gender marker and to halt any efforts to alter an applicant’s sex marker on existing documents.
This policy change does not require the recall of passports that have already been issued with an “X” designation. However, individuals seeking to renew their passports will no longer be permitted to select this controversial option. The Department of State has clarified that additional guidance on the handling of existing passports with the “X” marker will be provided through separate channels.
President Trump’s executive order reaffirmed that the term “sex” refers strictly to an individual’s biological classification—either male or female. The order emphasized that “sexes are not changeable” and firmly rejected the inclusion of “gender identity” as a factor in official documentation. This move is seen by many conservatives as a step toward protecting the integrity of biological truth and the basic principles of gender that have long been recognized in American society.
The decision to remove the “X” marker follows a 2022 decision under the Biden administration, led by former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to introduce passports with a third, non-binary gender option. This change was initially touted as a victory for gender inclusivity but has sparked controversy for undermining biological realities and complicating official records.
By reversing this decision, the Trump administration has taken a stand for common sense and the preservation of American values in the face of shifting social trends. It also sends a clear message that the United States will not abandon its foundational belief in the biological distinctions between men and women, even as other institutions continue to push for more progressive definitions of gender.