Hunter Schafer Reveals Why She Boldly Addressed Her Male Passport Experience

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Hunter Schafer recently opened up about a personal experience that highlights ongoing issues regarding gender identification in America. The “Euphoria” star revealed her new passport was issued with a male gender marker, which she felt was worth sharing.

At the Independent Spirit Awards, where she was nominated for best lead performance for “Cuckoo,” Schafer spoke with The Associated Press. The 26-year-old trans actor emphasized the importance of staying aware of the changes in our country and how they affect individuals.

The situation stems from an executive order signed by former President Trump on his first day in office. This order narrowed the federal government’s definition of gender to only male or female, which must be reflected in official documents like passports. As a result, the State Department stopped issuing passports with the “X” gender marker and halted requests to change gender markers from “M” to “F.”

In an 8½-minute TikTok video, Schafer explained that her previous passport, which had female markers, was stolen while she was filming in Spain. After obtaining an emergency passport, she applied for a new one in Los Angeles and marked “female” on her application. To her surprise, the passport she received identified her as male.

In her video, Schafer noted the impact of the executive order. Holding up her new passport, she said, “Because our president, you know, is a lot of talk, I was like, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it.’ And, today, I saw it.” She wanted to share her experience not to create drama but to shed light on the realities faced by trans individuals.

Despite these challenges, Schafer expressed gratitude for the supportive community around her. “I wasn’t even really looking for support, but I have an amazing community, and it’s one of the greatest blessings of my life,” she shared.

The State Department acknowledged they were following Trump’s executive order but did not discuss individual cases due to privacy laws.

“It doesn’t change anything about me or my transness. However, it does make my life a little harder,” Schafer reflected. With travel ahead of her, she felt the weight of this new challenge. “Trans people are beautiful. We are never going to stop existing. A letter and a passport can’t change that,” she concluded.