Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revised its travel guidance for transgender individuals planning to visit the United States.
Newsweek has contacted the ministry for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The move follows similar guidance updates by other European nations, including Britain and Germany, in apparent response to President Donald Trump‘s large-scale crackdown on illegal immigration and trans rights.
Trump has rolled back rights for transgender and nonbinary people with a flurry of executive orders since he returned to the White House. On his first day back in office, Trump issued an order stating that the government would recognize only two sexes: male and female.
MANDEL NGAN/VESA MOILANEN/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images
What To Know
A new section has been added under Denmark’s visa rules for entry into the United States. It states that when applying for a U.S. visa, there are only two gender options available, male or female.
If your passport has the gender designation X, or if you have changed your gender, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises contacting the American embassy before traveling for guidance on how to proceed.
The change was made after LGBT+ Denmark contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requesting an update to the travel advice, per RadioIIII.
It comes after Trump also signed an executive order outlining steps to ban transgender individuals from serving in the military, a policy currently facing legal challenges. A Pentagon memo issued in late February directs military branches to identify and discharge transgender service members within 30 days.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth later issued a memo stating that transgender individuals would no longer be allowed to enlist in the military while emphasizing that service members with gender dysphoria who are already serving would be “treated with dignity and respect.”
Federal Judge Ana Reyes blocked Trump’s executive order prohibiting transgender individuals from serving in the military.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has updated its travel guidance for British citizens planning to visit the country, warning of potential arrest or detention if travelers fail to comply with entry requirements.
Germany has told its citizens that they are not guaranteed entry to the U.S. even if they have a visa or entry waiver.
What People Are Saying
Head of secretariat LGBT+ Denmark Susanne Branner Jespersen told RADIO IIII: “We are worried that people will be stopped at the airport and denied entry, or that they will be exposed to something that is transgressive and unpleasant at the airport, says Susanne Branner Jespersen.
“At LGBT+ Denmark, however, they want a very clear answer to what to expect if you as a transgender person want to apply for entry to the United States. Therefore, they will contact the American embassy directly.”
What Happens Next
It is expected that more European nations will update travel guidance as President Trump reshapes America’s domestic and foreign policy.
