While more than a dozen countries have introduced gender-neutral travel documents, some non-binary and transgender people are reluctant to use them because they fear facing discrimination or bureaucratic hurdles when traveling abroad.

"I have yet to go and get my master's degree and hopefully travel through the world, and that's not something I think I can do [...] if I have an 'X' on my passport. At least I can't do it really safely," said Proppe, 23, who studies astrophysics.

"I plan on getting the marker when I'm older and when the world is hopefully more generally friendlier towards non-binary people," the student added.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights campaigners have applauded moves by governments from Iceland to the United States to issue gender-neutral passports amid growing awareness and acceptance of diverse gender identities and intersex people.

Fulfilling a campaign promise by United States President Joe Biden, the US issued its first "X" passport last year to Dana Zzyym, who is non-binary and intersex – born with atypical sex characteristics.

It joined nations including Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and India in offering "X" or other third gender options.

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