Hunter Schafer, the transgender actress best known for her role as Jules Vaughn on the hit HBO series Euphoria, has shared an unsettling experience regarding her new US passport.
In a TikTok video, Schafer revealed that her updated passport listed her as male, despite filling out the paperwork as female. This incident came as a shock to the 26-year-old actress, who showed the "M" marker on her new travel document.
“I was shocked,” Schafer said in her video, expressing her disbelief and frustration. She added that her previous passport had listed her gender correctly as female, and she never expected this issue to arise. In her post, she also criticized former US President Donald Trump’s policies on gender. Under Trump’s administration, a controversial executive order was signed recognizing only two sexes—male and female—and declaring that these designations cannot be changed.
The Impact of Trump's Executive Order on Gender Identity
On his first day in office, President Trump signed the order, which restricted gender markers on official documents like passports to male or female based on the sex recorded at birth. Before this, the US had allowed people to select their gender when applying for a passport and even offered an "X" designation for individuals who were non-binary, intersex, or gender non-conforming. This option was introduced during the Biden administration in 2022.
Schafer explained that she applied for a new passport after her old one was lost while filming overseas. She filled out the necessary forms indicating that she identified as female, but when she received her replacement passport, it mistakenly listed her as male. Schafer expressed concern about the challenges she might face during international travel, particularly at airports, due to the mismatch between her appearance and the gender marker on the document.
Addressing the Issue with Privilege and Awareness
Despite the confusion and inconvenience, Schafer emphasized that she wasn’t seeking sympathy or trying to create drama. “I’m not making this post to fear-monger, or to receive consolation, I don’t need it,” she clarified. However, she believed it was important to share her experience, highlighting the reality of what many transgender individuals face due to policies that do not align with their gender identity.
She reflected on the privilege she holds as a well-known transgender woman and acknowledged that her situation may have been complicated by the fact that her birth certificate had never been amended to reflect her gender identity. Schafer also made it clear that the change in her passport’s gender marker does not alter her sense of self. “I don’t give a f**k that they put an ‘M’ on my passport,” she said. “It doesn’t change anything about me or my transness. However, it does make life a little harder.”
Schafer's Concerns for the Trans Community
Schafer also expressed concern about the broader implications of this policy for other trans people, especially those who may not have the same visibility or resources. “I’m pretty sure it’s going to come along with having to out myself to border patrol agents… much more often than I would like to or is really necessary,” she shared, acknowledging the additional emotional and psychological burden that this situation could place on trans individuals, particularly in the context of travel.
The Euphoria star’s experience is part of a larger trend of trans people facing challenges with official documents that do not reflect their gender identity. As the Biden administration continues to push for greater recognition of non-binary individuals, the road to achieving full equality and understanding remains complex.
Support and Solidarity from Other Trans Celebrities
Schafer is not the only trans star speaking out about the difficulties faced by the community. Actress Laverne Cox, known for her work on Orange is the New Black, recently discussed the importance of visibility and advocating for trans rights, especially as the community faces increasing backlash. Cox spoke about the growing number of states banning gender-affirming care for young people and other forms of discrimination, calling for greater support and acceptance of trans individuals in society.
“This whole anti-trans thing is really taking a toll,” Cox said. “We’re less than 1% of the population, but the political and social forces working against us are growing. We need to be visible, we need to be heard.”
Schafer’s experience, along with Cox’s advocacy, underscores the continuing struggles that transgender individuals face in the United States and globally, despite significant strides toward acceptance and equality. For Schafer, the challenge remains not just a bureaucratic issue but a deeply personal one, as it speaks to the broader societal understanding of gender identity.
The Future of Transgender Rights and Documentation
Schafer’s passport incident highlights a troubling reality for transgender people—one that involves navigating a complex bureaucratic system that doesn’t always reflect their identity. As the US continues to wrestle with issues surrounding gender and identity, Schafer’s candid post serves as an important reminder of the real-world consequences of policies that fail to consider the lived experiences of transgender individuals.
As for Schafer, she continues her work, with the third season of Euphoria currently airing, where she plays a transgender teenager, Jules Vaughn. For Schafer, her personal experiences and her role on screen are part of a larger effort to normalize and represent the transgender experience, while also shedding light on the everyday challenges faced by the trans community.
Her story is one of many, but it serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of transgender individuals who continue to fight for recognition, equality, and respect in all aspects of life.
