Aja Prepares For Legal Clash Over Passport Gender Error
Aja, a celebrated drag queen and rap artist, isn't staying quiet after receiving a new passport with a major error. She's gearing up legally against Uncle Sam. Recognized from "RuPaul's Drag Race" and "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars," Aja has loudly championed transgender rights.
In 2021, Aja proudly came out as transgender and made sure all her official documents matched her female identity, including her passport. Her old passport correctly marked her gender as female. But now, this new one mistakenly says she's male. Aja's baffled since she never asked them change her gender marker in any record.
Common document issues affect transgender people
Aja's not alone in this mess. Earlier this year, other transgender celebrities like Hunter Schafer faced similar headaches with their passports. Schafer's document wrongly showed her as male, not female. And up north, Canadian musician Bells Larsen had his own troubles, having had gigs disrupted because outdated anti-trans policies complicated his visa process.
These kinds errors aren't just annoying; they can be downright dangerous, outing transgender people in possibly unsafe places. Aja voiced her safety worries, but her request fix got a "no" from U.S. Department State, who stood by their records.
Taking it online, Aja vented her frustrations: "Do I risk my safety every checkpoint or cancel thousands dollars work abroad?" she asked, clearly fed up.
Legal action and constitutional rights
Aja's ready sue, arguing Uncle Sam's infringing on her First Amendment rights by scrubbing her identity. She's also claiming her Fourteenth Amendment rights are being trampled by denying her equal protection.
"This isn't just a slip-up; it's a federal bungling with my life at stake," she asserted, determined fight back. "Thinking I'd just carry this passport quietly? They must've forgotten who they're dealing with. I'm ready make noise, go legal, and take on whole system!"
Aja's path and ongoing advocacy
Aja's public journey's been all about authenticity and standing up others. Beyond her transgender identity, she's recently opened up about identifying as bisexual and nonbinary too. She stepped away from just being labeled drag artist in 2018, a bold move that brought personal fulfillment but also some financial struggles.
"It was hard," she admitted during an interview, recalling times when work dried up and homelessness loomed. "Then All Stars 6 came along, and Kylie Sonique Love's win lit a spark. I realized could be trans woman and still do drag."
Throughout everything, Aja's stayed committed advocating and staying visible transgender and nonbinary individuals. Her upcoming legal fight's just another part her wider battle equality and recognition.
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