Shortly after his inauguration on Monday, President Donald Trump used executive orders to begin a roll back of transgender rights in the United States.
Trump signed an executive order stating that the U.S. government will only recognize a person’s gender assigned at birth – male or female. He said the order was part of his agenda to end “radical and wasteful” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at federal agencies.
“As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female,” Trump said in his inaugural speech.
The executive order throws trans U.S. passport holders in limbo. As of 2022, citizens have been able to select “X” as their gender marker on their passports, according to a report from CNN. One’s marker does not need to match the gender on citizenship documents or photo ID, nor is medical documentation needed to change one’s gender.
Trump also signed an executive order to reinstate a ban on transgender people from serving in the military. In his first term, Trump banned trans people from serving, but President Joe Biden reversed the order. No details were given on the ban, but his administration is expected to make an announcement soon.
Ricardo Martinez, Executive Director of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), called Trump’s executive orders “a direct attack on transgender Americans.”
“The administration is trying to create fear and sow chaos by its statements and orders, but no executive action can change the fundamental truth that transgender people are vital members of our families and communities,” Martinez said in a statement. “Like all people, transgender people deserve dignity, respect, and the freedom to live without fear of government-sanctioned harm.”
Martinez said GLAD Law fight the executive orders in court.
