By Canadian Press

Trans activist wants federal guidance on U.S. travel after Trump orders

Jan 21, 2025 | 11:09 AM

OTTAWA — A prominent trans activist says she’ll be avoiding travel to the U.S. following President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting gender expression to male or female, and wants Canada to update trans citizens on travel safety guidelines south of the border.

Trump declared Monday the U.S. will only recognize two sexes and that they are unchangeable, leaving Fae Johnstone, executive director of Queer Momentum, with questions.

She says she doesn’t believe her passport — which has an “X” in place of male or female — will be recognized if she travels through the U.S., and that the executive order causes a lot of uncertainty for herself and other Canadians like her.

She says she wants Canada to update its guidelines on travel to the U.S. and to explain what it means for trans Canadians crossing the border.

Johnstone says Trump’s actions are part of a dehumanizing global push against trans people and their rights that uses them as “scapegoats” for broader social issues.

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Global Affairs Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 21, 2025.

Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press