The Canadian government is cautioning individuals who designate “X” as their gender on their passports about potential challenges when entering the U.S. and other nations. The Department of Global Affairs recently updated its United States travel advice page for 2SLGBTQ+ Canadian passport holders to include a notification about the uncertainty of entry or transit in countries not recognizing the ‘X’ gender identifier. Travelers may still be required to provide male or female sex/gender information during their journeys.
This adjustment follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order instructing the government to acknowledge only two sexes: male and female. The order mandates that all U.S. federal government-issued documents refer to “sex” rather than “gender.” The legality of Trump’s order is currently being contested in court, as the administration seeks to overturn a U.S. district court ruling preventing the State Department from enforcing the policy restricting U.S. passport issuance for genders other than male and female.
In January, it was reported that approximately 3,600 Canadian citizens have selected “X” as their gender on passports since the option became available in 2019. Alexandre Fournier, a Department of Global Affairs spokesperson, stated that similar advisories have been in place for some destinations since February 2022, but the department recently updated and standardized information regarding the ‘X’ identifier across all travel advisories.
The department’s U.S. travel advisory has been revised to include details about certain U.S. systems requesting sex assigned at birth and to remind Canadians with U.S. visas and permanent resident status that their standing could undergo periodic evaluation and potential termination. The reasons prompting these advisory changes, any related incidents, and the current number of Canadians with an “X” gender designation on their passports remain undisclosed.
The U.S. Embassy in Canada declined to comment on the altered advisory due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. Global Affairs has been enhancing its advisories on travelling to the United States, particularly in response to anti-2SLGBTQ+ legislation in some U.S. states. Earlier this year, heightened scrutiny upon entry into the U.S. was highlighted in the Canadian government’s travel advisory.
Recently, the Canada Border Services Agency announced that new applications or renewals for Nexus trusted traveler cards would no longer permit the designation of ‘X’ as a gender option. This modification is part of ongoing efforts to align with evolving regulations and practices.
