Hunter Schafer, the breakout star of HBO’s “Euphoria,” has made headlines after revealing that her new passport was issued with a male gender marker, despite her identifying as female. In an emotional TikTok video, the 26-year-old actress, who portrays the transgender character Jules on the series, expressed her dismay at the issuance, noting that she had marked herself as female on her passport application and has had female gender markers on her government IDs since her teenage years.
This situation arises amidst new guidance from the State Department that determines gender markers based on sex assigned at birth. Schafer mentioned she was aware of the establishment of this policy but did not expect it to affect her personally. Expressing her frustration, she stated, “Trans people are beautiful. We are never going to stop existing. I’m never gonna stop being trans.”
Despite the controversy surrounding her passport, she emphasized that her identity cannot be defined by government documentation, stating, “A letter and a passport can’t change that. And f— this administration.” She shared her experience not for sympathy but to highlight the challenging realities faced by transgender individuals, particularly as she anticipates international travel and the potential necessity to disclose her identity to border officials.
The conversation about transgender identity is further complicated by broader policies enacted under the Trump administration, which include restrictions on transgender girls and women participating in sports, prohibiting transgender individuals from serving openly in the military, and limiting access to transition-related healthcare for minors.
While Schafer’s situation underscores the ongoing struggles for transgender rights and representation, it also illuminates the resilience of the community in facing these challenges. The visibility brought by public figures like Schafer continues to foster crucial conversations around gender identity and the need for supportive policies.