Washington [US], March 31 (ANI): US citizens will be able to select an X as their gender marker on their US passport application starting April 11 in a move aimed to advance the inclusion of non-binary individuals and to respect privacy, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a press statement on Thursday.

"In June, I announced that U.S. passport applicants could self-select their gender and were no longer required to submit any medical documentation, even if their selected gender differed from their other citizenship or identity documents. Starting on April 11, U.S. citizens will be able to select an X as their gender marker on their U.S. passport application, and the option will become available for other forms of documentation next year," said Blinken.

Also Read | Pakistan PM Imran Khan Refuses to Resign, Says 3 Stooges Working With Foreign Powers Against Govt.

The announcement comes on the occasion of International Transgender Day of Visibility celebrated by the transgender community every year on March 31.

"The Department is setting a precedent as the first federal government agency to offer the X gender marker on an identity document," said Blinken.

Also Read | Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Arrives in India Amid Ukraine Crisis.

"After thoughtful consideration of the research conducted and feedback from community members, we concluded that the definition of the X gender marker on State Department public forms will be "Unspecified or another gender identity." This definition is respectful of individuals' privacy while advancing inclusion," Secretary of State further said.

Talking about the International Transgender Day of Visibility, Blinken said, "We call on governments and other partners around the globe to join us in fighting for a world in which everyone can live safely and openly as themselves. We will not waver in our commitment to upholding the human rights of transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming persons worldwide." (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)