Denmark and Finland are officially warning their transgender citizens: Think twice before flying to the United States. In a move that’s sending ripples across Europe, both countries have updated their travel advisories in response to mounting concerns over how trans travellers are being treated at U.S. borders under Donald Trump’s new gender policy.
Trump’s latest executive orders erase non-binary and transgender identities from federal recognition, with the U.S. now officially acknowledging only “male” and “female.” That seemingly simple change is causing chaos at international airports, especially for those whose documents don’t fit into Trump’s binary worldview. The application for the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization — required for many foreign travellers — only allows applicants to pick “M” or “F.” But in progressive countries like Denmark and Germany, passports can display “X” as a gender marker. And that’s where things get sticky.
“If your passport has the gender designation X or you have changed gender, it is recommended to contact the U.S. embassy prior to travel,” reads the new Danish advisory. Finland’s travel website echoes the concern: if your passport doesn’t match the gender you were assigned at birth, the U.S. may deny you entry.
No Danish citizens have been detained so far, but LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in the country are not taking any chances. “We are worried that people could be stopped at the airport and refused entry, or that something inappropriate and uncomfortable could happen at the airport,” said Susanne Branner Jespersen of LGBT+ Danmark.
A European Wake-Up Call
Denmark’s warning follows similar moves by Germany, where the detention of three German nationals at the U.S. border sparked a review of their own travel policies. British authorities are also tightening their language, noting that anyone violating U.S. entry rules could end up in jail. One UK tourist recently spent 10 days behind bars simply for using the wrong visa.
The message is loud and clear: being trans in Trump’s America is no longer just a domestic fight — it’s an international incident. And European countries are taking protective steps.
From a pro-LGBTQ perspective, this latest development is a chilling reminder of the global impact of anti-trans policies. While Trump’s administration may think they’re just playing to their base, the real-world consequences are being felt in border control booths and passport control lines, where dignity, safety, and identity are suddenly up for debate.
For the global LGBTQ community, this signals a dangerous shift. When allies abroad begin cautioning their own citizens against travel to the U.S., it’s not just a bureaucratic issue — it’s a red flag on human rights.