Hunter Schafer Speaks Out After New Passport Lists Her as Male

 

Transgender actress Hunter Schafer recently revealed that her newly issued passport incorrectly lists her gender as male, despite selecting female on her application. The Euphoria star shared her frustration in a TikTok video posted on February 21, where she displayed the document that now features an “M” marker, contradicting her previous identification records.

Schafer began her video by describing the situation as a "harsh reality check," noting that all her government-issued identification documents have identified her as female since she was a teenager. She explained that she applied for a new passport after losing her previous one while filming abroad, only to discover the unexpected change upon receiving the new document.

This alteration follows a policy reinstated by President Donald Trump, which mandates that U.S. government documents recognize only two gender categories—male and female—based strictly on sex assigned at birth. Schafer criticized the move, stating, ''No piece of paperwork can erase my identity as a trans woman.'' She emphasized that she was not seeking sympathy but rather shedding light on the systemic challenges faced by transgender individuals navigating bureaucratic institutions.

Recent reports indicate that many transgender individuals have encountered difficulties obtaining passports under this new policy, as applications reflecting gender identity rather than sex assigned at birth have been flagged or denied. Additionally, the State Department has removed the option for non-binary individuals to select “X” as a gender marker, further complicating the process for many.

Schafer acknowledged that she had been aware of the administration’s plans to roll back gender identity recognition policies but initially dismissed them as rhetoric. ''I was like, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it,’ and today, I saw it on my new passport. I was shocked because I didn’t think it was actually going to happen,'' she said.

She also recognized her privilege as a white, thin transgender woman who conforms to conventional beauty standards, acknowledging that despite this privilege, she was still affected by the policy shift. ''I wanted to share this to highlight the reality of the situation for those who might not be aware,'' Schafer added.

As more transgender individuals report similar issues, advocacy groups have voiced concerns over the reinstated policies and their impact on trans and non-binary citizens seeking identification documents that accurately reflect their gender identities.