The Danish foreign ministry has updated its U.S. travel advisory for transgender individuals, following similar moves by other European countries like Germany and Finland. These countries have warned that transgender travelers might encounter challenges when entering the United States.
According to the updated advisory on Denmark’s official website, transgender travelers are advised to contact the U.S. Embassy before traveling to the U.S. The advisory highlights that when applying for an ESTA or visa, individuals are only presented with two gender options: male or female.
The ministry recommends that individuals with an “X” gender designation in their passport, or those who have changed their gender, reach out to the U.S. Embassy for guidance on how to proceed with their travel plans.
Though the advisory does not directly reference the current U.S. administration, it comes just weeks after President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring federal documents, such as passports and policies like federal prison assignments, to define sex solely as male or female.
The U.S. State Department has halted the issuance of travel documents with the “X” gender marker, a designation preferred by many nonbinary individuals who do not identify as strictly male or female. Additionally, the department has stopped allowing individuals to update the gender on their passports to reflect their gender identity, or to receive new passports that align with their gender rather than the sex assigned at birth.
Susanne Branner, the head of the transgender group LGBT+ Denmark, shared with Danish radio RadioIII that her organization had contacted the country’s foreign ministry earlier in the week, requesting an update to the travel advisory. She explained that several thousand people in Denmark have legally changed their gender and may face difficulties at airports when traveling to the U.S. These individuals could potentially be denied entry if their passports do not match the gender assigned to them at birth.
Susanne Branner expressed concerns about the possibility of transgender individuals or those with an “X” gender marker in their passports being denied entry into the U.S. She emphasized the need for clear and concrete answers regarding this issue.
Other European countries have also updated their advisories for transgender travelers in light of the situation in the U.S. Earlier this month, the German foreign ministry issued a warning to travelers with an “X” gender designation or those whose current gender differs from the one assigned at birth. It advised them to contact a U.S. diplomatic mission for guidance on entry requirements. Similarly, Finland’s foreign ministry recommended that individuals whose passport gender differs from their assigned gender at birth should check with U.S. authorities in advance, as entry might be denied.
