NEW DELHI: On January 20, 2025, immediately after his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump signed his first executive order titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” This directive mandates that federal agencies recognize only two genders male and female based on reproductive anatomy, effectively eliminating federal protections and programs for LGBTQ+ individuals.
The executive order stipulates that government documents and identification will reflect this binary gender classification, prohibiting the use of gender-neutral pronouns and the acknowledgement of non-binary identities within federal institutions. Additionally, it restricts the allocation of federal funds to programs that support gender-affirming care and other services for transgender individuals.
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Trump stated, “We will forge a society that is colour blind and merit-based. … As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”
The move has been met with significant opposition from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, who argue that the executive order undermines civil rights and disregards the complexities of gender identity. Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign, expressed concern, stating, “This executive order is a direct attack on the dignity and rights of transgender individuals. It seeks to erase their existence and deny them essential services.”
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Legal experts anticipate that the executive order will face challenges in the courts, as it may conflict with existing civil rights protections and precedents established by previous administrations. The outcome of these legal battles could have significant implications for the future of LGBTQ+ rights in the United States.
This executive order is part of a broader set of actions taken by the Trump administration on its first day in office, which also includes the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization and the termination of federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. These initiatives reflect the administration’s commitment to implementing policies aligned with its campaign promises.
