Hunter Schafer, the transgender actress from Euphoria, revealed that her new U.S. passport mistakenly identifies her as male. She had selected female on her application, yet she still received an incorrect document.
Schafer Expresses Shock Over Passport Error
The 26-year-old shared her frustration in a TikTok video. She showed the ‘M’ marker on her passport and said, “I was shocked. I just didn’t think it was actually going to happen.” As a result, she blamed President Donald Trump’s gender policies for the mistake.
Since Schafer plans to travel abroad next week, she expects problems at the airport due to the incorrect gender marker. Previously, her old passport listed her as female.
Trump’s Executive Order Restricts Gender Options
On his first day in office, Trump signed an order recognizing only male and female genders based on birth sex. Consequently, the policy prevents Americans from changing their gender on passports. In addition, it removes the ‘X’ option, which the Biden administration introduced in 2022.
Earlier this year, Schafer lost her passport while filming overseas. After applying for a new one and marking female, she received a replacement that listed her as male. Therefore, she believes Trump’s policies caused the issue. “It’s a direct result of the administration our country is currently operating under,” she said.
State Department Enforces New Gender Rules
Trump’s order states, “These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality.” Furthermore, it clarifies, “‘Sex’ is not a synonym for and does not include the concept of ‘gender identity’.”
As a result, the U.S. State Department now enforces stricter rules. It confirms that passports will only list ‘M’ or ‘F’ based on birth sex.
Schafer Warns That Policy Changes Are Real
Initially, Schafer doubted the new rules would affect her. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” she said. However, after receiving her new passport, she added, “Today I saw it.”
She emphasized that these policies impact everyone. “It’s not just talk. This is real and it’s happening. No one – no matter their circumstance, no matter how wealthy or white or pretty – is excluded.”
Passport Issue May Cause Travel Problems
Although Schafer updated her gender markers on her driver’s license and old passport as a teenager, she never changed her birth certificate. Now, she worries about travel challenges.
“As a result, I’m pretty sure it’s going to come along with having to out myself to border patrol agents much more often than I would like to or is really necessary,” she said.
Meanwhile, Schafer continues to play Jules Vaughn in Euphoria. Her character, a transgender teenager, has a complicated relationship with the main character, Rue. The HBO series is now in its third season.