MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – Mexicans applying for a passport will no longer have to check a box to define themselves as “male” or “female” in a new travel document policy announced on Wednesday and in a historic Welcomed as the head of national diplomacy. Success for those who identify as non-binary.
The new non-binary passport was presented at an event hosted by Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, but was immediately criticized by some non-binary activists for confusing gender with gender.
Under the new passport policy, non-binary Mexicans who do not identify as male or female, which are gender categories, can now respond with an “X” on documents that allow applicants to choose between male or female. Let’s say for, which are biological sex categories.
“Different applicants will be able to choose an “X” marker for the sex box of their passport, thus leaving them to specify their gender,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement announcing the new policy.
Previously, Mexican passports did not ask applicants to select a gender, only sex. Ebrard, who is seeking the presidential candidacy of the ruling Morena party, identified as leftist, for next year’s elections, described the policy as a “quantum leap” for Mexico, “for the freedom and dignity of the people.” A big jump.”
But non-binary Mexican activist Alex Orue argued that Ebrard failed in his attempt at progressive inclusion by blurring the distinction between gender and sex.
“It’s counterproductive because it confuses concepts and reinforces stigma against our community,” said Orue, deputy director of global programming for the LGBTQ+ rights nonprofit It Gets Better.
Oru wondered if those who identify as non-binary had been consulted about the new policy, adding that applicants for official identity documents would be required to select “NB” in the question specifying gender. It would be better to give an option.
“It seems like a minor detail, but it is stigmatizing for non-binary people and it becomes the subject of genitals and the inspection of corporations,” said Orué, since gender identity is not always aligned with the physical attributes of biological sex.
