Embassy says US government only recognizes two “unchanging” sexes

After issuing the entry visa of federal deputy Erika Hilton (PSOL-SP) with the male gender, the US embassy in Brasilia said the US government only recognizes two sexes: the male and the female. On Wednesday, the parliamentarian reported that she had her gender identity denied during the process of issuing a diplomatic visa to participate in an academic conference in the United States.

“The US Embassy reports that visa records are confidential according to American law and, by politics, we do not comment on individual cases. We also emphasize that, according to executive order 14168, it is the US policy to recognize two sexes, male and female, considered unchanging from birth,” the embassy said in response to Brazil agency.

Executive Order 14168, issued by Donald Trump on January 20, requires federal departments to recognize gender as an unchanging male-feminine binary and prohibits gender self-identification in federal documents such as passports.

Documents gathered by the deputy’s team reveal that the US embassy in Brasilia deliberately registered Erika with male, disregarding its rectified birth certificate and its Brazilian passport that attest to its female gender.

The deputy sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting a meeting with Minister Mauro Vieira and Itamaraty evaluates the possibility of the meeting. She said she also articulates an international legal action against the Trump government.

“It is absurd that the hatred that Donald Trump nourishes and encourages transgender people bumped into a Brazilian parliamentary going to do an official mission on behalf of the House of Representatives,” said the parliamentarian, who is the first black and trans federal deputy to reach the National Congress.