Transgender Actress Hunter Schafer Accuses US Administration of Altering Passport Gender
Introduction:
Hunter Schafer, a transgender actress renowned for her role in the acclaimed series "Euphoria," has alleged that the US administration has surreptitiously altered the gender on her passport, despite her identification as female for "a decade" on her other identity documents.
Schafer’s Account:
In a TikTok story broadcast on February 20th and reposted as a video the following day, Schafer recounted her experience: "I filled everything out like I normally do, I put ‘female,’ and when I got it back… my gender had been changed to ‘male.’"
Schafer emphasized that her intention was not to incite fear or create drama, but rather to raise awareness: "I think this is worth talking about… just to show you what’s happening."
She elaborated, passport in hand, "I think this is expressly to do with the administration we have currently running this country."
Background:
Schafer’s passport renewal application was prompted by the theft of her previous passport last year. Since her birth certificate does not reflect her gender change, she speculates that "passport agencies… are now required to check the birth certificate," explaining the "M" designation on her new identity document.
Political Context:
In the United States, transgender rights have become a contentious topic, fueling societal conflicts between the Republican and Democratic parties. Former President Donald Trump has made this issue a central focus of his 2024 presidential campaign, vowing to end the "transgender insanity."
Trump’s presidency witnessed a series of executive orders, including:
- Recognition of only two sexes, male and female
- Prohibition of "transgender ideology" in the military, effectively barring transgender individuals from serving
- Restrictions on gender transition procedures for minors
The US also discontinued the issuance of "X" gender passports for non-binary individuals pursuant to an executive order enacted on Trump’s first day in office.
Schafer’s Defiance:
Despite the potential repercussions, Schafer remains resolute in her identity: "I will never stop being trans, and a letter on a passport will not change that. F*ck the government."
Conclusion:
Hunter Schafer’s experience highlights the ongoing challenges faced by transgender individuals in the United States, particularly under the current administration’s policies. Her courage in speaking out serves as a poignant reminder of the systemic discrimination and barriers that transgender people continue to encounter.
