Trump Signs Executive Order on Gender Recognition
On Monday, President Trump signed an executive order declaring that the federal government will only recognize "two sexes, male and female." This order reverses the ability of Americans to mark "other" or "X" on federal forms and has sweeping implications for how the government acknowledges gender.
The order mandates that government-issued identification documents, including visas, passports, and Global Entry cards, accurately reflect the holder's sex assigned at birth. This means Americans will no longer be able to select "X" on their passports, a change implemented under President Biden in April 2022.
The order also prohibits the use of terms like "gender identity" within the federal government, instead requiring the use of sex assigned at birth. Additionally, federal funds cannot be used to promote "gender ideology," which the order defines as the belief that gender is a social construct rather than a biological fact.
This order has been met with strong opposition from LGBTQ rights groups, who argue that it erases the identities of transgender and non-binary individuals. They also point to the Supreme Court's 2020 decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, which ruled that it is illegal to discriminate against someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Legal experts believe that aspects of the order may be challenged in court, particularly those that contradict the Bostock decision. However, the federal government may have more latitude in how it applies the order internally, such as how federal employees identify.
Supporters of LGBTQ rights have vowed to fight the changes, while some conservatives have praised the order for protecting women and girls from "gender ideologues." The order is one of more than 200 executive actions taken by President Trump in his first day in office.
7 Comments
Karamba
Denying people access to accurate IDs will create barriers to essential services and opportunities. This is a clear violation of civil rights.
Matzomaster
This is just the latest example of the Trump administration's war on LGBTQ people. It's time to resist and fight for our rights!
Rotfront
Sex is a biological fact, not a social construct. This order ensures that government documents reflect reality, which is important for accountability and accuracy.
Matzomaster
The "gender ideology" label is nothing but a scare tactic. Gender is complex and nuanced, and this order shows a dangerous lack of understanding.
Rotfront
This government overreach is unacceptable. Trump has no right to dictate how individuals identify themselves.
Muchacha
Finally, some common sense! It's ridiculous that the government was allowing people to invent their own genders. This is about protecting the integrity of our institutions.
Africa
This is a victory for women's rights! Male athletes shouldn't be competing against women, and this order helps to ensure that biological women are not disadvantaged.