New York: In a move that has drawn widespread attention and sparked heated debate, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order recognizing only two genders-male and female-on his first day back in office. The controversial order, branded by Trump’s team as a “common sense” decision, will end all federal funding and recognition of gender identities beyond the traditional binary, as reported by Sky News.
The order defines male and female according to biological sex-whether individuals are born with eggs or sperm-rather than their chromosomes. This decision directly impacts federal policies on gender, including the categorization of prisoners, shelter facilities for migrants, and rape victims. These settings will now be segregated by sex, based on the aforementioned biological criteria.
Additionally, the order will affect federal documents, including passports, ensuring that gender is identified solely as male or female. Trump’s team justifies this by arguing that gender identity policies in government facilities and workplaces violate the First Amendment’s protections for freedom of speech and religion, particularly when it comes to transgender individuals being referred to by pronouns matching their gender identity.
The executive order also targets diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, ending federal funding for such programs. As part of this measure, a monthly review of DEI programs will be conducted to determine whether they should be dismantled or restructured, as reported by Sky News. This move is positioned as part of the broader push to reverse policies implemented under President Joe Biden’s administration that expanded support and rights for transgender and nonbinary individuals.
One of the key aspects of Trump’s administration’s approach is its stance on transgender participation in women’s sports. Ahead of his inauguration, Trump reiterated his intention to prevent transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, an issue that has become a focal point in national discussions about gender and fairness in athletics.
This executive order is set to reverse several policies from the Biden administration, including those that expanded transgender rights. Civil rights organizations, including Advocates for Trans Equality, have already indicated their plans to challenge Trump’s actions in court. Ash Orr, a spokesperson for the group, reaffirmed their commitment to protecting transgender rights across the country, regardless of the executive order, as reported by Sky News.
Throughout his political career, Trump has been vocal in his opposition to the expansion of rights for transgender and nonbinary people. This executive order, along with other policy reversals, reflects his ongoing focus on rolling back such protections. While his team calls it a victory for free speech and religious freedoms, critics argue that it represents a significant setback for the rights of transgender individuals, as per media reports.
As the legal battles over this order unfold, the debate around gender, identity, and rights will continue to dominate discussions in the U.S., with both supporters and opponents preparing for a protracted fight in the courts.
