President Trump on Monday signed an executive order reversing the Biden administration’s directives on LGBTQ+ rights, arguing that the U.S. government recognizes only two genders that are “unalterable.”
One of the new orders states that “male” and “female” are defined based on reproductive cells and at the time a person becomes pregnant, and that government-issued identification documents such as passports and visas define states that it is necessary to reflect the In recent years, the United States has begun allowing people to choose a third option, X, on their passports to indicate unspecified or other gender identity.
President Trump’s directive also requires federal agencies to eliminate any statements or policies that “promote or inculcate gender ideology.” Gender ideology is defined as “an ever-changing concept of self-assessed gender identity that accepts the false claim that men can identify with their gender identity.” Therefore, it is possible to become a woman and vice versa. ”
The order states that federal agencies enforce “laws governing sex-based rights, protections, opportunities, and accommodations to protect men and women as biologically distinct sexes,” and that such It says the measures are necessary to prevent men from accessing “intimate homosexual acts”. A space for women.”
It also directs federal authorities to prevent people defined as men from being held in women’s prisons or detention centers. Additionally, the executive order requires the Attorney General to block the use of federal funds for inmate treatment and gender reassignment procedures.
Kellan Baker, executive director of Whitman Walker’s Health Research and Policy Institute, an organization focused on LGBTQ+ health equity, said the order does not require anyone to pursue a medical transition or change their identity. He pointed out that there did not seem to be a distinction based on the degree of severity. document.
“It seems like they’re trying to wave a wand on federal policy and make transgender people disappear, but that’s not possible,” Baker said.
Baker said any changes to detention policy would not be immediate and would have to go through the federal rulemaking process. But he said these measures, if enacted, could put transgender people in federal custody, particularly transgender women, at serious risk.
Under a sweeping order rescinding dozens of executive orders issued under then-President Biden, President Trump also rescinded orders regarding LGBTQ+ rights, including one that required federal agency leaders to , including a directive to review rules against sex discrimination to ensure people receive equal treatment. The law is “regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.”
The Trump administration is likely to face difficulties over the president’s actions. Kevin Jennings, CEO of LGBTQ+ civil rights organization Lambda Legal, said in a statement that while many of the changes called for in the executive order will take time to implement, “we will be closely monitoring and will ensure that any changes are made.” “We are prepared to object if this happens.” effect. “
“We are exploring all legal avenues to challenge these illegal and unconstitutional actions,” Jennings said.
During the campaign, President Trump attacked the “gender insanity of the left” and slammed then-Vice President Kamala Harris over the idea of providing gender-affirming care to federal prisoners. He said he would push to block the use of federal funds for gender reassignment medical care, including surgical procedures.
President Trump also said he would seek to cut health care workers from the Medicaid and Medicare programs if they provide gender-affirming care to young people, a move he called “disconnection.” Experts say hospitals and clinics could be cut off from vital flows. of federal funds.
Although Monday’s executive order does not broadly address gender-reassignment care beyond the restrictions for prisoners, experts say changes in the interpretation of sex discrimination laws could reduce protections for transgender patients. He says it may weaken. The Biden administration had previously introduced federal regulations that broadly protect against discrimination based on gender identity by health care providers that receive federal funding.
The American Medical Association has voiced support for improving access to gender-affirming care, calling it “an important means of improving health outcomes for the transgender population,” and stating that public and private insurance for treatment of gender dysphoria He said he supported the application of both. The American Psychological Association also opposes banning such care.
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