In a striking revelation, Hunter Schafer, the well-known transgender actress from HBO’s Euphoria, shared that her latest U.S. passport inaccurately identifies her gender as ‘male’. This change comes in the wake of a controversial executive order from former President Donald Trump, issued in January 2023, which mandates federal agencies to acknowledge only two sexes—male and female—based on unchangeable biological sex at birth.
Schafer, a vocal advocate for transgender rights, took to TikTok to share an emotional eight-minute video, expressing her shock and frustration over this policy’s tangible impact on her life. Despite her efforts, including multiple applications to have her passport reflect her gender identity as female, the alteration on her identification documents could not be made. The actress, who began her transition in her teens, has consistently maintained her chosen gender on all previous official documents, including her driver’s license.
The unfortunate situation with her passport, Schafer suspects, may be due to the passport agency’s reliance on her unmodified birth certificate, obeying the administration’s directives on the issue. This misgendering on official records, Schafer emphasized, does not affect her unwavering identity but poses practical issues, particularly when it comes to international travel where the risk of facing harassment is real.
Schafer candidly pointed out her relative privilege, being a ‘white, thin, passing’ trans woman, which might shield her from harsher consequences. However, she stressed that no one within the transgender community is entirely safe from such policies. Her passport situation shines a spotlight on the broader implications for transgender Americans, who are encountering systemic barriers due to such regulations.
The broader context includes a lawsuit by seven individuals challenging the directive, contending it breaches constitutional rights. Schafer’s case not only underscores the personal ramifications but also amplifies the ongoing struggle for full recognition and rights for transgender individuals, irrespective of the administration in power.
- Feb, 22 2025
- Cassius Montgomery
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