Hunter Schafer, the transgender actress and model known for her role in HBO’s Euphoria, has become the latest high-profile individual to face the chilling effects of President Donald Trump’s latest anti-transgender policies. Schafer recently revealed that her newly issued U.S. passport lists her as male, despite her explicitly marking herself as female in her application.
For many transgender Americans, Schafer’s ordeal is more than just a bureaucratic mistake—it is a terrifying signal that no one, no matter their visibility, success, or privilege, is safe from the ongoing rollback of trans rights.
A Shocking Reality Check
Schafer took to TikTok to share the distressing discovery with her followers. “I was shocked,” she admitted, holding up the passport displaying the “M” gender marker. She had previously held a passport listing her as female, and there was no reason for her to suspect that anything would change. But when she picked up her new passport after replacing the one she lost while filming overseas, she was confronted with an unwelcome reality.
“My initial reaction was, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it.’ And today I saw it,” she told her audience, visibly disturbed. “I do believe this is a direct result of the administration our country is currently operating under.”
Schafer had legally changed her gender markers on government-issued IDs when she was a teenager. However, her birth certificate had never been amended—a small but critical detail that, under Trump’s sweeping executive orders, may have been used as justification to revoke her legally recognized identity.
Trump’s Executive Order and the Impact on Transgender Americans
On his first day back in office, Trump signed Executive Order 14168, which declares that the U.S. government will only recognize two immutable sexes—male and female—determined at birth. The order explicitly states that “sex” is not a synonym for “gender identity,” effectively erasing the federal recognition of transgender people altogether.
One of the most immediate effects of this order is its impact on official government documentation. The U.S. State Department has confirmed that, under these new guidelines, passports can only be issued with gender markers that match the applicant’s assigned sex at birth. Applications requesting gender marker changes or new passports reflecting a gender different from birth are now being denied.
The implications are severe. Transgender individuals traveling abroad now face the possibility of increased scrutiny, harassment, and even detainment at border crossings. For those who rely on their passport as a primary form of identification, it can complicate everyday tasks like securing employment, renting housing, or accessing healthcare.
If Hunter Schafer Can’t Escape It, Who Can?
Schafer’s experience is a stark warning to all transgender Americans: if this can happen to one of the most prominent trans women in Hollywood, it can happen to anyone.
Transgender people have long been disproportionately affected by bureaucratic and legal hurdles, but the visibility of someone like Schafer seemed, at least to some, like a sign of progress. After all, she has graced runways for Prada and Mugler, been a trailblazer in the entertainment industry, and used her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Yet, none of that protected her from having her identity forcibly erased by the government.
“No one—no matter their circumstance, no matter how wealthy or white or pretty or whatever—is excluded,” Schafer emphasized.
For many trans people, this moment is eerily reminiscent of historical crackdowns on marginalized communities. Schafer herself pointed out the dangers of normalizing such policies, referencing the slow but steady implementation of discriminatory measures in past authoritarian regimes. “We start to normalize the circumstances we’re under. And I just feel like it’s important to share that it’s not just talk—this is real, and it’s happening.”
What This Means for Transgender Travelers
For transgender individuals who travel frequently, Schafer’s ordeal raises immediate concerns. A mismatched passport and ID can lead to dangerous situations at airport security, customs, and immigration checkpoints. Many transgender travelers already experience heightened scrutiny, and with these new restrictions, the risks only increase.
Schafer, who is set to travel internationally soon, acknowledged her own fears about the ordeal. “I’m pretty sure it’s going to come along with having to out myself to border patrol agents and that whole gig, much more often than I would like to or is really necessary,” she said.
For many transgender Americans, this is not just an inconvenience—it’s a potential risk to their safety. Whether traveling abroad or within the U.S., having official documents that do not align with one’s gender identity can lead to increased harassment and even legal trouble.
The Fight Isn’t Over
Despite the grim reality of this situation, Schafer’s message is one of resilience. “Trans people are beautiful. We are never going to stop existing. I am never going to stop being trans; a letter on a passport can’t change that.”
Her words serve as a powerful reminder that transgender individuals are not defined by government policies, but they also highlight the urgent need for continued advocacy. Civil rights groups are already preparing legal challenges to Trump’s executive order, and activists are calling for increased protections at the state level to counteract federal rollbacks.
While Schafer’s case has drawn attention to this issue, the battle for transgender rights in the U.S. is far from over. For now, her experience serves as a warning: if it can happen to Hunter Schafer, it can happen to anyone.
What Can You Do?
- Check your documents: If you are a transgender American, ensure your IDs and official records match before traveling.
- Stay informed: Follow LGBTQ+ organizations for updates on legal challenges to these policies.
- Support advocacy groups: Consider donating to or volunteering with groups like the ACLU, Lambda Legal, and the National Center for Transgender Equality.
- Share your story: If you or someone you know is affected by these policies, raising awareness is crucial in pushing for change.
The fight for transgender rights is ongoing, and while Schafer’s passport battle is a devastating example of government overreach, it is also a rallying cry. The world is watching, and it’s time to push back.
