Men and women… Supreme Court’s big decision – News-Patiala Punjabi

The US Supreme Court on Thursday gave a big relief to the President Donald Trump administration. The court allowed the implementation of a policy that prevents individuals from choosing their gender based on their gender identity on passport applications. The decision is being seen by the Trump administration as another significant blow to the rights of transgender Americans. According to a Reuters report, the Supreme Court has granted a request by the US Department of Justice to overturn a lower court order that blocked the policy. Now, only ‘sex at birth’ will be recognized on passports.

The policy reverses a practice dating back to 1992, when the US State Department allowed individuals to obtain passports based on medical documentation consistent with their gender identity. Three judges publicly dissented from this court’s decision. A class-action lawsuit against President Trump’s order is still ongoing. Protesters say the decision seriously undermines the rights of transgender and non-binary people.
What will change?

Notably, former President Joe Biden changed this policy in 2021, giving all US citizens the freedom to choose “Male,” “Female” or a third option, “X” on their passport applications. This decision no longer grants this freedom. However, after returning to power in January, President Trump issued a series of executive orders limiting the rights of transgender people. In one order he stated that the US government would recognize only two sexes: male and female. Trump has publicly denounced transgender identity as a “lie”.

In May this year, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to bar transgender personnel from serving in the military.