GRUNGECAKE

Tag: X

  • US airlines ordered to ignore ‘X’ gender-neutral passport markers amid federal policy clash

    In a move that heightens tensions around gender identity and travel bureaucracy, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has instructed US airlines to ignore the “X” gender marker on passports, demanding instead that travellers hold a passport marked “M” or “F”.

    The “X” marker—introduced for non-binary or gender-neutral identification, actually introduced in 2022 during the Joe Biden administration—is being sidelined under an executive order from Donald Trump. The order—titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government”—lays down the policy that only the male and female sexes exist at the federal level.

    Existing passports bearing “X” remain technically valid, but the new policy creates a disparity: Those renewing or applying for a US passport must choose either “M” or “F”, based on what the administration designates as “biological sex at birth”.

    Legal advocates caution that the shift may sow confusion—especially at airline check-in desks or border crossings—since travellers holding an “X” marker could encounter questions even if their documents remain lawful.

    Critics argue the policy abandons practical recognition of non-binary and gender-diverse individuals in favour of a stricter binary framework.

    One attorney noted the effect: “They are trying to throw us into a state of reactivity so that we’re not able to focus on practical advocacy and the material needs of our communities.”

    For travellers and industry alike, the directive introduces a layer of uncertainty. Airlines must now align operationally with CBP’s guidance despite the international norm—and the personal reality for many—of non-binary gender markers. Meanwhile, the broader policy battle over how federal systems recognise gender continues.

  • Simone Biles retreats from X after heated feud with Riley Gaines

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    In a dramatic twist to a high-profile social media clash, Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in Olympic history, has deactivated her X (formerly Twitter) account following an intense feud with former NCAA swimmer and women’s sports activist Riley Gaines.

    The spark

    It all ignited in early June, when Gaines criticized Champlin Park High School in Minnesota for featuring a transgender athlete—a girl born male—in their state championship-winning softball team. Gaines’s post read, “To be expected when your star player is a boy”, which Biles—an outspoken advocate—saw as public shaming and bullying.

    Biles responded with fire, tweeting that Gaines was “truly sick… straight up a sore loser”, referencing a tie with trans swimmer Lia Thomas in 2022. She added: “Bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male.”

    Backlash and apology

    Immediate backlash followed. Critics argued Biles had veered into body shaming and personal attacks. Within days, Biles issued a public apology: she acknowledged she had let emotion override empathy and emphasised her goal was not to politicise trans participation, but to defend kids—especially trans kids—from being singled out unfairly.

    The exit from X

    Then, quietly yet decisively, her X account disappeared. TMZ reported the deletion came shortly after the conflict escalated—Gaines even suggested it was a reaction to overwhelming ridicule.

    Gaines confirmed the move on X, saying: “Sad to see such a phenom go down like this”. Though Biles retains her presence on Instagram and Threads, her departure from X marks a rare retreat into silence.

    Reflection and resilience

    On Instagram, Biles posted a cryptic story: “Strength is what we gain from the madness we survive.” It’s a quiet testament to how public pressure and personal missteps can become crucibles for growth.

    What it all means

    This episode underscores three truths:

    1. Public figures walk a tightrope
    Biles was intent on defending trans youth, but her personal barbs eclipsed the message, drawing criticism even from her own support base.

    2. Social media can fuel both empowerment and collapse
    It allowed Biles to weigh in on a divisive issue—but also forced her into a defensive stance and ultimately off the platform.

    3. Personal reflection over public posturing
    Her apology and Instagram post suggest Biles is turning inward, seeking strength from adversity more than external validation.

    Final threads

    Simone Biles’s fall—and subtle comeback—speaks volumes about the complexity of today’s cultural battlefield. When even an Olympic champion is accused of crossing a line, it reminds us how nuanced conversations about fairness, identity, and respect have become. Her deactivation of X is not just a retreat—it’s a recalibration. The cryptic message hints at hard-earned wisdom: maybe the most powerful statement is silence.