It’s not clear yet
On Monday, Trump ordered the US government to recognize only two genders: male and female. The order also says all federal documents – including passports – should refer to “sex” rather than “gender.”
Since 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 under 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 it is a “scary” and “precarious” time for Canadians with gender-neutral passports – and the 2SLGBTQ+ community in general.
“We don’t know what’s going to happen right now, and that makes it very, very difficult for people to assess the safety of whether or not they should even go to the states,” she said.
Fae Johnstone, executive director of Queer Impuls, told The Canadian Press that she will avoid traveling to the United States because she fears her passport will be rejected at the border.
“It is nothing short of an existential attack on the existence of trans and gender queer people both in America and around the world,” Johnstone said.
Kennedy, said Kennedy, can already lead to difficulties in the USA, said Kennedy.
“There is nothing stopping a border immigration agent from stopping people with X on their passports from entering their country,” she said.
“At one level it has now escalated into a formal policy.”
Canada updated travel advice in 2023
Global Affairs Canada told CBC News in an email that it is aware of Trump’s executive order and is “closely monitoring this development.” The department said Canadians should monitor its travel advice website for updated advice.
“Each country decides who enters its borders. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveler,” the email said.
The government website currently contains comprehensive advice for people who list their gender as X on their passports. It says they may face restrictions when traveling and that the Canadian government cannot guarantee access to other countries.
In 2023, the government updated its travel advice for people traveling to the US following anti-2SLGBTQ+ gene adoption in a number of US states.
This advice advises travelers to beware of laws that criminalize same-sex activities and relationships or target people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Kennedy and Johnstone said they want Canada to update its guidelines for travel to the U.S. and explain what it means for transgender and non-binary Canadians crossing the border.
“I’m sure because our community is very connected to what’s going on in the U.S. that people are being cautious. But I think the Canadian government has a responsibility to let people know what’s happening.” said Kennedy.
For now, Kennedy said she would recommend that anyone with a gender-neutral passport avoid traveling to the U.S. unless absolutely necessary.
