On Jan. 30, president Donald Trump published the executive order “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and restoring biological Truth to the Federal Government.” This executive order shares the keynote with the previous order “Preventing and Combating Discrimination of the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation” published on Jan. 25. Trump’s order about gender ideology recognizes two sexes “male” and “female,” which are fundamental and not changeable. Also, he added the federal government will use the term “sex,” not gender identity.
This announcement holds a different stream to the previous president Joe Biden. On Jan. 25, 2021, the Biden government published the executive order “Preventing and Combating Discrimination of the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation” which stands for the sexual minority. Not only Biden has carried the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy (DEI) but also previous presidents. Barack Obama rejected discrimination based on gender identity in the civilian federal workforce and also Bill Clinton signed against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Thus, it is an unavoidable estimation that Trump’s step goes against the 60-year flow of American gender rights.
According to an explanation from the white house, gender identity is an internal and subjective sense of self and disconnected from reality. It abandons biological truth and cannot be recognized as a replacement for sex. Also, it highlights that agencies shall not request gender identity and those federal funds not be used for promotion.
As part of the order, official documents such as passports and visas adopt two sexes and there is no longer the third option “X.” Also, camps for refugees or prisons divide places in two, and transgender people would be under the non-voluntary classification. This segregation coexists with the view that women require protection, while transgender women may be facing a new threat. On Jan. 22, the federal departments began implementing measures to abolish the DEI program. It includes removing web pages and giving relevant officials paid leave of absence. To reinforce the movement, the US government is planning to apply this order to an educational institution and corporations. Excluding universities that operate diversity programs from governmental subsidy projects or pressure from conservative shareholders is expected to act as a big motivation.
Opinions diverge on this policy, which is both revolutionary and regressive in changing the stance that has been going on for 60 years. Conservatives say this order enables military system reform. Sharing a view that pursuing diversity has led to the military losing power and excessively focusing on marginal things. The government is putting its weight on the conservative group, but the progressive side insists diversity in the military qualifies the decision-making process and leads to military efficiency.
Medical experts also divided gender-affirming care for minors. As a mental aspect, early treatment is essential for the psychological health of transgender youth. On the other hand, since there has been no investigation into the effects of early medical manipulation on the body, there is an opinion that it is correct to prohibit medical treatment for minors. While the two sides conflict, the government is expected to continue its hard-line policy. These orders are expected to have a significant impact on the definition of sex and the acts in American society.
