It's not yet clear how one of U.S. President Donald Trump's first executive orders would affect Canadians who carry gender-neutral passports
On Monday, Trump ordered the US government to recognize only two genders: male and female. The order also says that all federal documents – including passports – should refer to “gender” rather than “gender.”
As of 2019, Canadians who do not identify as female or male can list their gender as “X” on their passports.
CBC News asked U.S. Customs and Border Protection what Canadians with an X on their passports can expect if they try to enter the country after Trump's executive order. The agency referred CBC News to the White House press office, which has not yet responded to a question about the order.
Helen Kennedy, executive director of advocacy organization Egale Canada, said this is a “scary” and “uncertain” time for Canadians with gender-neutral passports – and the 2SLGBTQ+ community in general.
“We don't know right now what's going to happen and that makes it very difficult for people to assess the safety of whether they should even enter the United States,” she said.
Fae Johnstone, executive director of Queer Momentum, told the Canadian Press she will avoid traveling to the U.S. for now due to concerns that her passport will be rejected at the border.
“This is not an existential attack on the very existence of trans and gender non-conforming people, both in America and around the world,” Johnstone said.
Kennedy said carrying a gender-neutral passport could already lead to difficulties in the US.
“There is nothing stopping any border immigration officer from preventing people with X on their passports from entering the country,” she said.
“At one level it has now been escalated to formal policy.”
Canada has updated its travel advice for 2023
Global Affairs Canada told CBC News in an email that it is aware of Trump's executive order and is “closely monitoring these developments.” The department said Canadians should monitor its advisory page for updated advice.
“Each country decides who enters the borders. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveler,” the email said.
The government website currently has extensive advice for people who list their gender as X on their passports. He says they may face restrictions when traveling and that the Canadian government cannot guarantee entry to other countries.
In 2023, the government updated travel advisories for people traveling to the US following anti-2SLGBTQ+ laws passed in many US states.
This advice tells travelers to be aware of laws that criminalize same-sex activities and relationships, or that target people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Kennedy and Johnstone said they want Canada to update its U.S. travel guidelines and explain what that means for transgender and non-binary Canadians crossing the border.
“I'm sure our community is very connected to what's happening in the United States right now with people being cautious. But I think the government of Canada has a responsibility to let people know what's going on,” Kennedy said.
For now, Kennedy said she would recommend anyone with a gender-neutral passport to avoid traveling to the US unless absolutely necessary.