President Donald Trump has sparked controversy with new executive orders that define biological sex strictly as male or female in the United States. “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 statement.
These orders also put an end to federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Announced after his swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, Trump described these measures as part of his "restoring sanity" agenda.
According to senior White House officials, these orders aim to "restore biological truth" and counter what Trump called the "extremism" of gender ideology. The announcement, made on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, was framed as a commitment to treating all Americans equally, based on merit rather than identity categories.
Divided reactions
The executive orders have drawn strong reactions. Critics say the move could hinder the years of progress in LGBTQ+ rights, particularly for transgender and non-binary individuals. Supporters, however, argue that it’s necessary to uphold traditional gender definitions and prevent policies they view as overly inclusive or unfair.
LGBTQ+ voices on the impact
For members of the LGBTQ+ community, the announcement feels like a step backward.
"What happens in the USA has ripple effects in the world," stated Harish Iyer, Equal Rights Activist and Petitioner for Marriage Equality. "We, queers separated by geography, are, after all, one person, and we may beat in different rhythms, but we beat in one heart. Needless to say, this is a tough time for the queer community. But we are a resilient people. We bloom even at the sunset of our rights. We express ourselves even when we are suppressed. We will fight back with resilience... Hell hath no fury like a queer scorned"
Srash, a transman, expressed, "I’m incredibly disappointed with the way the US is regressing. Time and time again, LGBTQ+ folks have survived, and we will, even this time. The US is digging their own grave, honestly, and it’s about time they stop controlling everything the way they do."
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"Being the 'world superpower,' the US’s stance that it recognises only two genders is depressing," said Siddi, a 33-year-old transgender woman. “It wipes out the efforts trans and non-binary people have been putting in so far. As a trans girl who isn’t on hormone therapy, this feels like ink thrown over my existence. Our struggle for basic acceptance will only grow harder.”
A 29-year-old journalist shared a similar sentiment: "Trump recognising only two sexes doesn’t change the fact that people exist beyond male and female. He can set the US back by a decade, but he can’t erase people who exist outside the binary. I feel disheartened for the LGBTQ+ community in the US; they’ve fought so much to get this far. I just hope these changes are limited to government policies and don’t affect how people treat each other."
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Juviraj Anchil, 26, called it a "regressive" move: “From the leader of the free world comes one of the most backward steps. Trump’s decision is a step back, and history will not judge it kindly. By denying recognition and identity, he has done a great injustice to a community already facing discrimination. This could open the door to more setbacks, like reversing marriage equality and dividing society further."
What’s next?
Although the orders primarily apply to federal programs and government documents, the impact may go beyond policy. Many fear this could influence public attitudes and create more challenges for the LGBTQ+ community.
