On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” establishing that the United States federal government will recognize only two genders: male and female.
This executive order mandates all federal agencies to adhere to this binary definition of gender. Consequently, policies from the previous administration that allowed for non-binary gender markers, such as the ‘X’ designation on U.S. passports, are being rescinded.
Additionally, the order directs the Department of Health and Human Services to provide guidance on implementing these definitions and prohibits the use of federal funds to promote concepts related to gender identity beyond the male-female binary.
This policy shift has prompted strong reactions from various groups. Advocates for transgender and non-binary individuals have condemned the order, viewing it as a rollback of civil rights and a denial of the existence and experiences of gender-diverse populations. Legal challenges are anticipated as organizations seek to contest the order’s implications.
Supporters of the executive order argue that it reinforces traditional definitions of gender and addresses concerns about policies they believe undermine distinctions between sexes. For instance, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman praised the order, stating it ends attacks on women’s sports and privacy.
This development marks a significant change in federal policy regarding gender recognition, setting the stage for potential legal battles and debates over the rights of transgender and non-binary individuals in the United States.
