US President Donald Trump has issued a controversial executive order on the first day of his second term. According to this order, a policy to accept only “biological sex” will be implemented, replacing the concept of gender. The decision will undermine the Joe Biden administration’s efforts to promote gender identity and inclusion.
Emphasis on Gender Rather than Gender Identity:
According to Trump’s new order, the emphasis will be on using the term “biological sex” instead of the concept of “gender.” Government documents, such as passports, visas, and global entry cards, will list only two genders – male and female. The order said, “Biological sex is immutable and based on scientific truth.”
Major Changes in Government Policies:
Various departments of the government have been directed to protect single-sex spaces, such as prisons for women prisoners, rape prevention shelters, and migration camps. In addition, this policy will also be followed in personnel records and government communications.
Government grants and contracts will also be reviewed to ensure that no projects that “promote gender ideology” are approved. This decision by Trump has shown a complete opposition to the expansion of gender ideology.
The Biden Administration’s Push for Inclusion is Back:
During the tenure of the Biden administration, US citizens were given the option to state their gender identity as “X” on their passports. Also, gender change on citizenship documents and without asking for medical documents was allowed. However, this new order of Trump has canceled all these options.
In 2022, the Social Security Administration decided to simplify the gender reassignment process. However, only two gender options “Male” and “Female” were available in their database. Although the Social Security Administration continues to push for the “X” gender option, the Trump administration’s order will put a damper on those efforts.
Protection of Women’s Rights or Opposition to Inclusive Ideology?
The order is titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” Trump said in his inauguration speech, “From now on, the official position of the American government will be that there are only two sexes, male and female.”
Political and Social Implications:
Trump’s order has been controversial and strongly opposed by the LGBTQ+ community. This policy is likely to have a negative impact on inclusiveness in America. Organizations fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community have expressed their determination to fight a legal battle against the order.
This new policy of Donald Trump is likely to face a big debate in American society. This decision, which is backwards in terms of gender inclusiveness, could have consequences not only in America, but also globally. This decision seems to intensify the culture war in America.