President Donald Trump’s recent executive order revoking the use of gender-neutral “X” markers on federal identification documents has sparked a nationwide debate over personal identity and governmental authority. The order, part of a sweeping policy shift, mandates that all federal documents—such as passports and birth certificates—recognize only “male” or “female” designations based on biological sex at birth.
This move has alarmed LGBTQ+ advocates and civil rights groups, who view it as a direct rollback of progress made under the Biden administration. Critics argue the order erases non-binary identities and imposes unnecessary barriers for those seeking recognition, while supporters claim it restores clarity and aligns government records with biological reality.