Trump’s Second Term Begins with a Direct Attack on LGBTQ+ Rights
The world feels like it’s burning in flames right now, doesn’t it? Across the globe, radical changes are unfolding, and minority groups are often the ones paying the price. On this side of the Atlantic, in the United States to be precise, Donald Trump’s second term in office has already added more fuel to the fire. Just yesterday, mere hours after being sworn in again, Trump signed approximately 200 executive orders—among them a measure that is an alarming blow to LGBTQ+ rights.
This executive order, titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” is a direct attack on transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. It proclaims that the United States will recognize only “male” and “female” as genders, which it deems “unchangeable.”
During his inaugural address, Trump declared his intent to end what he called “the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life.” This measure threatens to undo years of progress in fostering inclusion and equality for LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans individuals.
What Does the Executive Order Do?
The executive order sets out a troubling series of mandates that reinforce a binary view of sex and reject the legitimacy of gender identity, directly attacking LGBTQ+ rights. It asserts that there are only two immutable biological sexes—male and female—and it categorically rejects the concept of gender identity as separate from biological sex.
It directs federal agencies to adhere strictly to this binary view of sex, meaning transgender individuals who live outside of this binary could face significant legal and social challenges. You can read it in full here, but we broke down its most concerning aspects for clarity:
Denial of Gender Identity: The order explicitly states that gender identity—defined there as an “internal, fluid, and subjective sense of self unmoored from biological facts”—should not be recognized as a valid concept in federal policy. This denies the reality and validity of transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming identities, framing them as illegitimate.
Reversal of Protections: Federal policies that previously recognized and protected the rights of transgender people, especially in spaces like workplaces, schools, healthcare, and public services, will now be reevaluated or reversed. This could mean that transgender people will no longer be protected from discrimination in these areas, exposing them to increased risks of prejudice and unequal treatment.
Restricted Healthcare Access: The order also targets medical care related to gender transition, potentially blocking access to gender-affirming treatments, surgeries, and other necessary healthcare services. It specifically prohibits the use of federal funds for incarcerated transgender people, preventing them from receiving the medical care they need while in federal custody.
Elimination of Safe Access to Gender-Specific Spaces: Policies that allowed transgender individuals to use bathrooms, shelters, or other facilities aligning with their gender identity are set to be rescinded. This move jeopardizes the safety and dignity of transgender people, particularly transgender women, by forcing them into spaces that do not align with their identities and where they may face harassment or violence.
Narrow Definition of Sex in Education and Sports. Among many other things, this order mandates that educational institutions and sports programs receiving federal funding adhere strictly to a binary, biological definition of sex. Although many of the specifics haven’t been provided, this may ban transgender athletes from participating in sports aligned with their gender identity and restrict curricula from teaching inclusive perspectives on gender.
Legal Redefinition of Sex in Federal Documentation: Federal documents, including IDs and passports, will no longer accommodate changes to reflect gender identity. Individuals will be forced to retain designations based solely on their biological sex at birth. This bureaucratic rigidity further marginalizes transgender individuals and complicates their ability to navigate public and private institutions.
Why This Is Harmful
This executive order is more than just policy; it’s a direct attack on the dignity, rights, and safety of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. By rejecting gender identity as a valid concept, the order attempts to erase transgender experiences and delegitimize their existence, perpetuating stigma and isolation.
It prioritizes biological sex over gender identity, opening the door for widespread discrimination in housing, employment, healthcare, and public life. For trans individuals, this could mean losing access to vital services and being forced into spaces that don’t align with their identities, like prisons or shelters, where they face heightened risks of violence and abuse.
Additionally, this measure relies on outdated and harmful ideologies, ignoring decades of research in gender studies, sociology, and psychology that affirm the diversity of human identity and its view of sex and gender. Gender is a multifaceted experience that extends beyond the binary, but this policy dismisses that reality, further marginalizing an already vulnerable community.
What Can We Do?
This executive order is a stark reminder of how fragile our rights can be, but we’re not powerless—we can fight back. Raising awareness is key. Sharing information about this harmful policy with our community, amplifying trans voices, and using social media to spread the word are all vital steps. Advocacy matters too; if you’re in the U.S., writing to elected representatives and demanding that they oppose this attack on LGBTQ+ rights can make a difference. Joining advocacy groups working to protect trans and gender non-conforming individuals is another powerful way to push back.
Supporting transgender rights is crucial during this time. Donating to organizations that provide legal, medical, and social support to the trans community can help ensure they have the resources to fight these discriminatory policies. Staying informed is equally important; following LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations will keep you updated on the implementation of this order and ways you can help.
Now is the time to stand in solidarity. Gender identity is real, valid, and deserving of respect. This new executive order is an alarming step backward for LGBTQ+ rights, particularly for transgender and gender non-conforming people. It is an attack on our right to define who we are, our right to be treated with dignity, and our right to live without fear of discrimination or harm.
But we will not be silenced. Together, we will fight for equality, justice, and the recognition of the full spectrum of human identities. We must not let anyone erase who we are.
If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Support is also available via live chat. Para ayuda en español, llame al 988.
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Featured Image: Photo by Evan Vucci via AP.
