‘I’m in Danger Now’: Trans Influencer Shocked After Passport Reverts to ‘Male’ Under Government’s New Rule
Zaya Perysian, a trans influencer with over 4.9 million TikTok followers, is sounding the alarm after receiving a new passport that reclassified her gender marker as male. Perysian, who has fully transitioned and legally updated her documents to reflect her identity as a woman, took to social media to share the shocking change.
“I just got my new passport in the mail, and they changed the gender to male because of Donald Trump,” Perysian said in a now-viral video. The trans influencer showed viewers the passport and the accompanying letter explaining that the State Department had “corrected” the gender to match past records.
The trans influencer emphasized the potential dangers this poses for transgender individuals traveling internationally. “This is a direct violation of my rights as an American citizen under the Equal Rights Amendment,” she stated. “The only thing this does is put me in danger while traveling.”
Trump’s Executive Order Wipes Out Trans Recognition in Federal Documents
The passport change comes in the wake of a sweeping executive order issued by President Donald Trump, which mandates that federal agencies recognize only two sexes: male and female. The directive explicitly states that “sex” must refer to a person’s biological classification at birth and cannot be altered.
In line with this order, Secretary of State Marco Rubio halted applications for passports with the gender marker “X,” a designation previously allowed for nonbinary and gender-fluid individuals. The policy also impacts those who had previously updated their gender marker, reverting them back to their assigned sex upon passport renewal.
This rollback has sparked widespread fear within the trans community. Many advocates argue that the change strips away hard-won legal rights and increases risks for transgender travelers, who may face heightened scrutiny and discrimination at international borders.
A Community Rallies Behind Zaya Perysian
The trans influencer’s revelation has ignited an outpouring of support online. Her Instagram followers flooded the comment section with messages of solidarity. “This is dehumanizing. I’m so sorry, babe,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “This is actually insane and super dangerous.”
Civil rights organizations and LGBTQ+ advocates have also weighed in. Dolores Huerta, the legendary labor leader and civil rights activist, underscored the importance of economic resistance. “If you don’t respect our community, then you shouldn’t have our dollars,” Huerta said, echoing past boycotts that successfully fought for marginalized communities’ rights.
Legal Action and the Fight for Trans Rights
Perysian has made it clear—she isn’t backing down. “They are only doing this to scare people like me because they don’t want us in public life,” she said in her video. “But trust me, I’m not going anywhere.”
She has vowed to take legal action to challenge the policy, citing discrimination and a violation of constitutional rights. “I submitted a passport application that was intended to update my gender marker to female. That exact application is still available on the website to update your gender. Y’all will honor it, trust,” she declared.
As Perysian’s case gains traction, it underscores a broader battle over trans rights under Trump’s second term. With his administration aggressively rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, transgender Americans are bracing for further legal battles over their identities.
What’s Next for Trans Travelers Under Trump’s Administration?
For now, trans travelers are navigating an uncertain landscape. Perysian’s case is not isolated. Activists predict many more transgender individuals will face similar challenges when renewing their passports or applying for new federal identification. Legal experts and LGBTQ+ organizations are urging those affected to seek legal recourse and raise awareness about the issue.
As this situation unfolds, one thing is clear: the trans community refuses to be erased. With Perysian at the forefront of this fight, the movement for recognition, dignity, and safety continues to push forward, undeterred by political setbacks.
