Transgender Travelers Advised to Contact U.S. Embassy Before Departure
Denmark has updated its U.S. travel advisory for transgender individuals, following similar moves by Germany and Finland. The Danish Foreign Ministry now advises transgender travelers to contact the U.S. Embassy before applying for a visa or Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Concerns Over Entry Restrictions
The advisory, updated on Friday, March 22, 2025, notes that the United States only offers male and female gender markers for visa applications. This has raised concerns for Danish travelers with an “X” gender designation or those who have legally changed their gender. The ministry urges these individuals to seek guidance from U.S. authorities before traveling.
This update follows policy changes by the U.S. State Department, which no longer allows “X” gender markers on passports or permits gender changes on official documents. These changes come after President Donald Trump signed an executive order defining sex strictly as male or female for official records and federal policies.
Response From Advocacy Groups
LGBT+ Denmark, a leading transgender advocacy group, welcomed the advisory update but called for further clarity. Susanne Branner, the group’s head, expressed concerns that Danish citizens could face difficulties at U.S. airports or be denied entry due to passport discrepancies.
“We want clear answers on whether transgender people or those with an ‘X’ marker in their passport could be refused entry,” Branner told RadioIII.
Other European Countries Issue Similar Warnings
Denmark joins Germany and Finland, which have also updated their travel advisories in response to the evolving situation in the U.S.:
- Germany now recommends that travelers with an “X” gender marker or those whose passport gender differs from their birth gender consult a U.S. diplomatic mission before travel.
- Finland warns that U.S. authorities may deny entry to travelers whose passport gender does not match their assigned sex at birth and advises checking with U.S. officials in advance.
With these changes, European governments are adapting their travel guidance to help transgender citizens navigate evolving U.S. immigration policies.
Source: abcNews