“Euphoria” star Hunter Schafer reveals her passport misidentifies her gender under new government policy.
Hunter Schafer, the acclaimed actress and model known for her role as Jules in HBO’s Euphoria, recently revealed that her newly issued passport incorrectly lists her gender as male. The 26-year-old transgender actress shared her frustration in an emotional TikTok video, expressing disbelief that such a mistake could happen despite her government-issued IDs identifying her as female since her teenage years.
A Shocking Discovery
In the eight-minute video, Schafer explained that she had clearly marked “female” on her passport application. However, due to recently implemented policies under the Trump administration, the State Department now issues passports based on a person’s sex assigned at birth rather than their affirmed gender identity.
“I was shocked,” Schafer admitted. “I knew about this policy, but I honestly didn’t think it would actually be enforced like this.”
She further emphasized that while a passport cannot change her identity, it does create real challenges, particularly for transgender individuals traveling internationally.
Concerns Over Safety and Rights
Schafer is set to travel outside the country next week and expressed concerns about the potential difficulties she may face at border control.
“I’m now forced to out myself to border officers,” she said. “This is not just an inconvenience; it’s a real safety risk for trans people.”
Her situation has sparked outrage among LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that the policy discriminates against transgender individuals and increases their vulnerability while traveling.
Pushback Against Anti-Trans Policies
The passport issue comes amid a wave of anti-trans policies from the Trump administration. Recent executive orders have restricted transgender individuals from enlisting in the military, barred trans women from competing in female sports, and imposed limits on transition-related healthcare for those under 19.
In response to these policies, Schafer made a powerful statement in her video:
“Trans people are beautiful. We are never going to stop existing. I’m never gonna stop being trans. A letter in a passport can’t change that. And f— this administration.”
A Call for Change
Schafer’s experience has amplified discussions about the rights of transgender individuals, particularly when it comes to legal documentation and recognition. Advocacy groups are calling for the Biden administration to overturn these policies and reinstate gender self-identification for official documents.
As of now, the U.S. State Department has not responded to Schafer’s situation, but the controversy continues to fuel discussions on trans rights, representation, and legal protections.
