The New American: The United States has officially issued its first “gender neutral” passport. The State Department announced the milestone on Wednesday. Citizens can now choose an “X” on their passport application to show that they don’t “identify” as the customary “F” for female or “M” for male.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken first announced the changes to the passport application back in June, but today marks the first time a person has received a passport with the “X” designation.

According to Jessica Stern, the State Department’s special diplomatic envoy for LGBTQ rights — a position left vacant during the Trump administration — the new passport option is more in line with the “lived reality” that certain people believe they are neither male or female.

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

According to Blinken, the new option will mean that Americans who consider themselves transgender will no longer require a medical certificate to opt-out of choosing a specific gender.

Opinion: One might wonder who started all this?

Guardian: May 12, 2016

Obama orders public schools to allow transgender students access to restrooms

Administration will send decree saying all students must have access to facilities consistent with their gender identity, even if others object …

The Obama administration will order all US public schools to allow transgender students to access restrooms that match their identities in a move that escalates the national fight over LGBT rights that has erupted in response to North Carolina’s controversial “bathroom bill”.

In 2008 Barack Obama said this to a nation he secretly loathed.