Hunter Schafer Says She Received a Passport With Male Sex Marker After Trump’s Anti-Trans Executive Orders

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Hunter Schafer, a highly sought-after and influential transgender actress in Hollywood, shared an intimate, uncommon video on social media, discussing her reaction upon receiving a passport that identified her gender as male.

In a heartfelt and personal reflection, I feel compelled to share an eye-opening moment from today that I believe needs to be heard. So let me start by saying, I’m sure many of us recall the first day of Trump’s presidency when he signed an executive order, declaring only two genders – male and female – recognized by the state based on the sex assigned at birth. This action led me to a startling discovery: The Bureau of Consular Affairs has put a halt on passport applications seeking a change or renewal of the gender marker, or any new applications with a gender marker that doesn’t match the one assigned at birth. Initially, I was skeptical about this, given our president’s reputation for grandiose statements. But as they say, I’ll believe it when I see it.

Schafer noticed the alteration when she collected a fresh passport at the federal passport agency in Los Angeles, being that the 26-year-old actress had gone to obtain a new travel document, as her previous one was stolen during filming in Barcelona, Spain. She openly expresses her surprise upon seeing the change, as all of her identification now reflects her true gender identity, following her transition during her teenage years.

She explained that her post wasn’t intended to cause fear, drama, or seek comfort. Instead, she wanted to highlight the truth about the situation, which is indeed occurring. She was taken aback because she hadn’t anticipated it would happen. She also wanted to recognize her privilege as a transgender woman celebrity who is white, thin, and conforms to contemporary beauty standards. Despite this, the incident still occurred.

The decree implemented upon Trump’s inauguration on January 20th establishes that the U.S. acknowledges only two genders: male and female. These genders are inherent and not subject to change, rooted in a solid and unquestionable truth. Under my guidance, the executive department will uphold all laws protecting these genders to reinforce this reality. The definitions below will be used to interpret and apply Federal law and policy across all administrative functions.

Trump’s initial action against the transgender community was merely the beginning, followed by several more attacks on gender-affirming care. He subsequently issued an executive order that barred transgender women and girls from participating in competitive sports, as well as prohibiting transgender individuals from serving in the military. Trump’s orders have faced strong opposition from the LGBTQ community, civil rights organizations, and federal judges who questioned his authority to make such moves.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my thoughts on Laverne Cox’s recent comments regarding President Trump. She boldly pointed out that the president seems to be preoccupied with “the wrong 1%.” In her words, she reminded us transgender individuals that we’ve faced adversity before. Our identities were once criminalized, and until the early ’90s, many cities had anti-crossdressing laws on their books. An inspiring figure in our community, Alexandra Billings, has been sharing her story daily on Instagram and TikTok. She transitioned in 1979 and was arrested numerous times just for living authentically as a trans person. Despite the hardships she faced, she persevered, and there are many who came before her who also overcame their challenges. We too shall overcome again.

Read Schafer’s comments in full below.

Greetings online community! Lately, you haven’t seen many posts from me, but an unexpected event today made me feel compelled to speak up. So here goes – I hope someone out there is listening. Let’s take a trip down memory lane to the beginning of Trump’s presidency when he issued an executive order recognizing only two genders, male and female, as assigned at birth. This decision had significant consequences, one being that the Borough of Consular Affairs put a halt on passport applications seeking a change or renewal of gender markers, or new applications with a gender marker different from the one assigned at birth.

Initially, I thought, “I’ll believe it when I see it,” given our president’s reputation for grandstanding. Well, today I saw it – my new passport bears the male gender marker.

In my teenage years, I switched my gender markers on my driver’s license, passports, and all subsequent documents to female, a change that hasn’t caused any issues. However, last year while filming in Barcelona, my passport was stolen along with other belongings from our car. Since then, I’ve been using an emergency passport, which is just a temporary copy of the one lost. Upon returning to the U.S., I needed to replace it with a new, permanent passport. Today, I went to the federal passport agency in L.A. and had this done. This wasn’t my first time going through this process, and everything went as usual until today when I opened my newly issued passport – they had changed the gender marker from female to male without my consent.

I’m posting this not to scare people, stir up trouble, or seek comfort. I don’t need it. However, I believe it’s important to share the genuine nature of the situation because it is indeed happening, and I was taken aback by it. To be honest, I didn’t expect it would occur in this way. I want to express my awareness of my privilege as a trans woman celebrity who is white, thin, and conforms to contemporary beauty standards. This privilege allows me to pass easily, yet the event still happened to me.

I wanted to share something that’s happening, not to upset anyone or ask for comfort. I was surprised because I didn’t think it would happen like this. I feel it’s crucial to acknowledge my privilege as a trans woman celebrity who fits the current beauty standards and can pass easily, yet the event still happened to me.

In the past, I’ve never altered my birth certificate. This has made me suspect that passport issuing authorities are now cross-checking birth certificates or possibly other changes in their processing system. It’s the first time this has happened to me since I updated my gender marker, and I believe it may be due to the current administration running our country.”

“Previously, I didn’t modify my birth certificate. Consequently, I think that passport agencies have started verifying birth certificates or perhaps there are modifications in their processing system. This is a new experience for me since I changed my gender marker, and I suspect it may be associated with the administration currently leading our country.

I must admit, I’m quite apprehensive about how these changes are gradually being put into place because things can suddenly start unfolding without much warning. The way history has shown us with the rise of fascism and this new administration’s actions, there’s a pattern where people talk a lot and then things start happening. We become accustomed to the circumstances we find ourselves in, and I believe it’s crucial to emphasize that these aren’t just empty words; they are real events occurring right now. No one, regardless of their wealth, race, gender, or appearance, is immune to this reality.

I also want to express my indifference towards the “M” on my passport. It doesn’t alter who I am as a person or my trans identity. However, it does make life a bit more challenging.

I’m anticipating a potential issue during my first trip abroad with my new passport next week. I fear that as a trans woman, I might need to disclose my identity more frequently to border agents than I’d prefer or find necessary. This is based on my personal experience and I worry that other trans individuals may also face similar challenges. The complications this brings into everyday life are numerous and growing, but I want to emphasize the beauty of being trans. We exist, we won’t disappear, and I remain proud of who I am. A passport doesn’t change that. I don’t have a solution, but I believe it’s crucial to share this reality. This is a genuine concern, so yes, I’m frustrated.

I expect a problem with my upcoming foreign travel using my new passport, as I might need to reveal my transgender status more often than desired or required. I believe other trans individuals may face the same issue. The difficulties this presents in daily life are multiplying, but I want to highlight the beauty of being trans. We persist, and I won’t stop being who I am. My passport can’t alter that fact, and I’m upset with the current administration. I don’t have a fix, but I feel it’s essential to express my concerns. This is a genuine issue, so yes, I’m frustrated.

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2025-02-21 21:27