Jenner Seeks Trump's Help After Passport Changed to M Under President's Policy

Are gender-neutral passports a civil rights necessity or a policy the government has full authority to restrict?

Published APR 17

Jenner Seeks Trump's Help After Passport Changed to M Under President's Policy

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Above: Caitlyn Jenner on Oct. 4, 2023. Image credit: Mike Marsland/Getty Images for Sky

The Spin

Left narrative

Hopefully Jenner will bring attention to the fact that forcing transgender and nonbinary Americans to carry passports that don't match their gender identity is a clear civil rights violation. A federal judge already found the policy likely discriminatory, noting the government couldn't justify it under basic constitutional standards. Stripping away gender marker options puts real people at risk of harassment and violence when traveling.

JURIST Human Rights Watch

Right narrative

The Supreme Court made it clear that requiring passports to reflect biological sex at birth doesn't violate equal protection, any more than listing a passport holder's country of birth does. Transgender status doesn't qualify for heightened constitutional scrutiny, meaning the government has wide latitude to set this policy. This ruling was a decisive legal victory and Jenner must now address its implications.

Jonathan Turley Website

Cynical narrative

Given Jenner’s past support for Trump, it raises questions about why she didn't anticipate being affected by policies central to his campaign, which prominently included positions on transgender issues. At the same time, many individuals lack the visibility or access that Jenner has, underscoring broader concerns about how such policies affect people without comparable influence.

Fly Sistah on X Entertainment Weekly

Editor's Note

This story currently has limited reporting from right-wing sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.