US issues first gender-neutral ‘X’ passport, check out the pics!

In a first,  the United States has issued its gender-neutral passport. The official document features an “X” gender designation.

Dana Zzyym, of Fort Collins, Colorado, told the Associated Press (AP) it was their passport and they have been in a battle with the government over the issue since 2015.

Zzyym, who prefers a gender-neutral pronoun, said it was thrilling to finally get the passport but the fight for a passport with an accurate gender designation was a way to help the next generation of intersex people win recognition as full citizens with rights.

“I’m not a problem. I’m a human being. That’s the point,” the 63-year-old said.

The US special diplomatic envoy for LGBTQ rights, Jessica Stern, said the decision brings passports in line with the “lived reality” that there is a wider spectrum of human sex characteristics than the previous two designations reflected.

“When a person obtains identity documents that reflect their true identity, they live with greater dignity and respect,” Ms Stern said.

Zzyym was previously denied a passport after failing to check male or female on an application.

According to court documents, they wrote “intersex” above the boxes marked “M” and “F” and requested an “X” instead of in a separate letter.

Zzyymm was born with ambiguous physical sexual characteristics. They were raised as a boy and had several surgeries that failed to make them appear fully male, according to court filings.