USA Announces Gender-Neutral Passport
When same-sex couples travel with their families they are often torn over how to fill out forms. Until January 3, same-sex couples had to choose which parent was the mom and which was the dad. This antiquated system didn’t take into account America’s diverse families. The Department of State announced on Monday a gender-neutral passport and Consular Report of Birth Abroad forms. The new forms will use the title of “parent” rather than “mother” and “father.”
“The updates remove significant challenges for the two-million children being parented by LGBT parents,” said Jennifer Chrisler, the executive director of Family Equality Council, which led the effort to change the forms. “The new forms prevent denial or delays for accessing fundamental aspects of American citizenship, and send a positive message of inclusion in American life for children with same-sex parents. We are grateful to both Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama for prioritizing this change.” [US DOS]






