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It is still not clear how one of the first executive orders of the president of the United States, Donald Trump
On Monday, Trump ordered the United States government to recognize only two sexes: men and women. The order also says that all federal documents, including passports, must refer to “sex” instead of “gender.”
Since 2019, Canadians who do not identify as women or men can list their gender as “X” in their passports.
CBC News asked the United States Customs and Border Protection agency what Canadians can expect with an X in their passports if they try to enter the country following Trump’s executive order. The agency sent CBC News to the White House Press Office, which has not yet answered a question about the order.
Helen Kennedy, Executive Director of the Defense Organization, Egale Canada, said it is a “terrifying” and “precarious” time for Canadians with neutral gender passports, and the 2SLGBTQ+ community in general.
“We do not know at this time what will happen and that is what makes it very, very difficult for people to evaluate the security of whether they should go to the United States or not,” he said.
Fae Johnstone, executive director of Queer Momentum, told the Canadian press that he will avoid traveling to the United States for now for fear that her passport will be rejected at the border.
“It is not an existential assault on the very existence of trans and gender people in both in the United States and around the world,” said Johnstone.
Bringing a neutral gender passport can already lead to difficulties in general in the United States, Kennedy said.
“There is nothing that prevents any border immigration officer from preventing people with X in their passports from entering their country,” he said.
“At a level, a formal policy has now intensified.”
Canada Travel Council updated in 2023
Global Affairs Canada told CBC News in an email that is aware of Trump’s executive order and that “this development is closely monitoring.” The department said Canadians must monitor their travel advisor website to obtain updated advice.
“Each country decides who enters its borders. The decision to travel is the exclusive responsibility of the traveler,” said email.
The government website currently has a broad advice for people who list their gender as X in their passports. He says that they could face restrictions on traveling and that the Canadian government cannot guarantee entry to other countries.
In 2023, the Government updated its travel notice for people traveling to the United States following the anti-2SLGBTQ+ laws approved in several states of the United States.
That advice tells travelers to be careful with laws that criminalize same -sex activities and relationships, or are addressed to people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Kennedy and Johnstone said they want Canada to update their guidelines on trips to the United States and explain what it means for transgender and non -binary Canadians who cross the border.
“I am sure that our community is very connected to what is happening in the United States at this time that people are exercising caution. But I think the Canadian government has the responsibility of informing people of what is happening.” said Kennedy.
For now, Kennedy said he would recommend anyone with a neutral gender passport that avoids traveling to the US. Unless it is absolutely necessary.
