A federal judge in Massachusetts on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration from refusing to process and issue passport applications for transgender and nonbinary people in accordance with their gender identity.
This is the first paragraph of a story today from Chris Geidner, known online as the LawDork. This is huge if it holds. Trump immediately attacked transgender rights in his second term. One of his first actions was reversing the prior administration’s policy of self-determination of gender on US passports. This court order reinstates the self-determination policy that was in place before Trump’s executive order. It includes the recognition of X markers for non-binary people.
Of course, it is highly likely that the Trump administration will appeal this order. For now though, the issuance of passports with correct gender marker is once again policy. Will the Trump administration obey this court order? That remains to be seen. This federal government has been making a habit of ignoring court orders. If I hadn’t gotten my passport with the correct gender already, I would certainly be applying now.
The journey continues. Today, we see a glimmer of hope.
