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Hunter Schafer, a transgender actor, recently shared their experience of having their passport gender marker changed to “male” after losing the original document while filming in Spain.
In a candid social media video, Schafer discussed the impact of President Donald Trump’s executive order that limits federal recognition to only two sexes, defining them as “sexes that are not changeable, and they are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality.”
Hunter Schafer reveals that her new passport now lists her sex as male instead of female, following Trump’s instatement:
“I’m not making this post to fear-monger, or to create drama, or receive consolation, I don’t need it. But I do think it’s worth posting to sort of note the… pic.twitter.com/C9DDJEtf4u
— Pop Base (@PopBase) February 21, 2025
Despite being aware of the executive order’s existence, Schafer admitted to being caught off guard by its actual implementation. “I’m not making this post to fear-monger, or to create drama, or receive consolation, I don’t need it,” they said. “But I do think it’s worth posting to sort of note the reality of the situation and that it’s happening. I was shocked. I just didn’t think it was actually going to happen.”
The actor took time to reflect on their privileged position in society, stating, “I want to acknowledge my privilege, not only as a celebrity transwoman who is white […] I pass, and it still happened. […] No one, no matter how wealthy or white or pretty or whatever is excluded. […] I don’t give a f-ck that they put an ‘M’ on my passport.”
Never forget that Hunter Schafer said his "gender" was "influenced by a need to be used by men" and that his "sexual orientation is an attraction to misogyny." pic.twitter.com/v1k8u5veuw
— Genevieve Gluck (@WomenReadWomen) February 22, 2025
While expressing resilience in the face of this change, Schafer highlighted the practical challenges this policy creates for transgender individuals. They noted, “It doesn’t change really anything about me or my transness, however, it does make life a little harder. I’m pretty sure it’s gonna come along with having to out myself to border patrol agents […] much more often than I would like to or is really necessary. And thinking about other trans women or other trans people who this might be happening to.”
