Trump’s Executive Order Limits Gender Identity Recognition

New order restricts gender identity to male and female.

The recent executive order signed by President Trump will officially recognise only two genders, male and female, effectively nullifying efforts made by the previous administration to expand gender identification options on passports and other documents. During a speech on Monday, Trump declared, “As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.” Titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” the order stipulates that sex is immutable and rooted in biological reality, marking a significant shift in governmental policy towards gender issues.

Government agencies must adhere to new gender regulations.

According to a Trump administration official, this order means the federal government will now pivot from using the term “gender” to “sex,” which the order defines as an individual’s unchangeable biological classification. Various government agencies will be required to update official documents, including passports, to reflect only the designated sex of the holder. Moreover, the executive order demands that facilities like federal prisons and shelters maintain single-sex spaces to ensure privacy, which has sparked considerable debate over privacy rights versus gender identity.

Biden’s inclusive reforms are now facing a rollback.

This new directive effectively dismantles previous policies from the Biden administration that sought to broaden gender recognition, including the option to select an “X” gender marker on passports. Since 2022, citizens could opt for this marker without needing medical documentation or a match with other ID forms. The State Department previously promoted inclusive policies, stating that they strive to support all citizens regardless of gender identity, including the LGBTQI+ individuals, promoting freedom and dignity for all. However, this latest move signals a significant retreat from those commitments, suggesting potential implications for the rights and recognition of gender-diverse citizens in the United States.