The United States Supreme Court has upheld a Trump-era policy that requires passports to list only a person’s sex as assigned at birth, rejecting challenges from transgender and non-binary applicants seeking gender-neutral or updated identification.
In a ruling that has drawn sharp reactions from human rights groups, the court affirmed the authority of the State Department to maintain the “sex at birth” designation on travel documents, arguing that it serves administrative clarity and international uniformity.
The decision effectively reverses efforts by the Biden administration to make gender markers on passports more inclusive, including the introduction of an “X” option for non-binary individuals.
Civil rights advocates described the ruling as a setback for transgender rights, saying it undermines the dignity and recognition of gender-diverse Americans. “This ruling erases the identity of thousands who simply want their government documents to reflect who they truly are,” a spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said.
However, conservative groups welcomed the decision, calling it “a return to biological accuracy” and a necessary step to prevent “ideological confusion” in public records.
The ruling, delivered on Thursday, marks one of the most consequential gender policy reversals in recent years and signals renewed judicial backing for Trump-era administrative standards ahead of next year’s presidential elections.
Observers say the decision could influence global policy debates on identity documentation, particularly in countries like Nigeria, where discussions around gender recognition and data integrity in public records remain sensitive.
Analysts argue that while the U.S. ruling may not have immediate legal implications, it could shape how developing democracies balance human rights advocacy with cultural and administrative realities.
