Bill Overview
Title: Passport Sanity Act
Description: This bill prohibits the Department of State from issuing a passport, passport card, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad with an unspecified (X) gender designation. The State Department must also ensure that applications for such documents include only male and female gender designations.
Sponsors: Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21]
Target Audience
Population: People selecting unspecified gender (X) in official documents
Estimated Size: 1500000
- The bill impacts individuals who have opted for or would opt for an unspecified gender (X) designation on their passport or related documents.
- Gender X designations are frequently used by non-binary, genderqueer, and other gender non-conforming individuals.
- The option for an unspecified gender designation on official documents has been recognized in various countries to cater to individuals who do not identify strictly as male or female.
Reasoning
- I need to consider a representative sample from the U.S. population, focusing on those who identify as non-binary or gender non-conforming, as they are the main target of this policy.
- I had to include both individuals who directly use or want to use the X gender option on their passports and those who do not to get a balanced view.
- I must note that the policy may have psychological and practical effects on this group, potentially lowering their wellbeing scores due to lack of recognition or additional legal struggles.
- I need to keep in mind that the implementation budget is $2,000,000 in the first year, which may restrict the rollout or dissemination of the policy's changes.
- Legal and personal identity struggles might increase stress, anxiety, and feelings of invalidation among the affected group, significantly impacting their Cantril wellbeing scores over time.
- The policy will also indirectly affect family members or supporters of this group, albeit to a lesser degree.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy feels like a step backwards in recognizing non-binary people. It erases our identities and creates unnecessary challenges when traveling.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 9 |
Teacher (Austin, TX)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry how this law will impact my child. It could force them into a rigid identity that doesn't fit who they are. We'll have to deal with more challenges now, especially in documentation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
HR Consultant (New York City, NY)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support my friends who identify as non-binary, and this policy feels like it dismisses their identity. It won't impact me directly, but I empathize with those affected.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Farmer (Rural Oklahoma)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't really get why someone wouldn't choose male or female. This policy doesn't affect me at all, just seems like common sense.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Student (Portland, OR)
Age: 18 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is deeply upsetting. It makes me feel invisible and invalidates my identity. It will create so many hurdles for travel, study abroad and, essentially, living authentically.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 9 |
Healthcare Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm more worried about what this means for my sibling. It feels like an unnecessary burden on them and our family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Intern at a PR Firm (Miami, FL)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not sure how many people this even affects. The policy sounds strange, but it doesn't affect me or my friends really.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Freelance Artist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This feels like we're being erased. The X marker was a big step forward. Now, every step just became way more complicated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 9 |
Graphic Designer (Brooklyn, NY)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies should adapt to human rights and diversity. This doesn't resonate with that principle. I support those marginalized by this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Retired (Denver, CO)
Age: 60 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 18.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This feels like a setback, but I'm used to such challenges by now. Still, it's disheartening for younger generations who hoped for more understanding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $3000000)
Year 2: $500000 (Low: $200000, High: $800000)
Year 3: $500000 (Low: $200000, High: $800000)
Year 5: $500000 (Low: $200000, High: $800000)
Year 10: $500000 (Low: $200000, High: $800000)
Year 100: $500000 (Low: $200000, High: $800000)
Key Considerations
- Legal challenges might arise affecting costs.
- Changes necessitated by potential policy reversals or modifications could incur future costs.