Hunter Schafer, the Emmy-nominated star of Euphoria, has publicly criticized federal passport policies after receiving a male gender marker on her new document. Speaking at the Independent Spirit Awards, Schafer emphasized the urgency of tracking systemic challenges facing transgender Americans. Trump’s 2021 executive order, which restricts gender markers to “male” or “female,” directly impacted her application despite years of legally recognized female identification.
In a viral TikTok video, Schafer revealed her passport was stolen in Spain, prompting an emergency replacement. When reapplying in Los Angeles, she marked “female” but received an “M” designation.
“Our president is a lot of talk—I’ll believe it when I see it. Today, I saw it,”she stated, holding up the contested passport. The State Department confirmed it enforces Trump’s order but declined to address her case specifically.
Schafer clarified her intent wasn’t to seek sympathy but to highlight bureaucratic realities: transgender individuals now face heightened barriers to accurate documentation. Key impacts include:
- Revoked “X” gender marker options since 2021
- No legal pathway to update existing passports
- Increased travel risks for trans Americans
Despite these challenges, Schafer affirmed her identity remains unshaken: “Trans people are beautiful. We’re never going to stop existing.” Her advocacy underscores a broader fight for inclusive policies as federal mandates clash with state-level protections.
With over 1.6 million transgender adults in the U.S., experts warn such policies could exacerbate discrimination in healthcare, employment, and travel. Legal groups urge Congress to reinstate gender-neutral options, calling the current system “state-sponsored erasure.”
