The United States will now officially recognize only two sexes, male and female, under a sweeping executive order issued by President Donald Trump. The policy, which categorizes gender strictly by “immutable biological classification,” marks a dramatic reversal of several Biden-era measures promoting diversity, equity, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Trump’s orders require federal agencies to replace references to “gender” with “sex” in official documents, including passports and visas. In a rapid dismantling of his predecessor’s legacy, Trump nullified 78 executive orders, including key initiatives aimed at addressing racial inequities and safeguarding protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Among the repealed directives were efforts advancing racial equity for underserved communities and combating discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Trump also eliminated policies benefiting Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American communities, framing these measures as forms of “social engineering.”
“We will forge a society that is color-blind and merit-based,” Trump declared in his inaugural address. “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 rollback comes during a politically charged moment, coinciding with the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Civil rights organizations quickly condemned the actions, vowing to resist.
“This administration’s actions are a direct attack on decades of progress. We will not stand by and allow discrimination to prevail,” said Kelley Robinson of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group.
Organizations such as Asian Americans Advancing Justice echoed these sentiments, pledging to fight against what they called systemic attempts to undermine equal rights for marginalized communities.
Meanwhile, the corporate response has been mixed. While some companies have recently scaled back their diversity initiatives, others, including major players like Apple and Costco, reaffirmed their commitment to equity and inclusion.
The Trump administration has also signaled its intent to reinterpret the landmark 2020 Supreme Court ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, which extended civil rights protections to gender identity and sexuality. Federal guidance will soon clarify how the administration plans to limit the scope of the ruling.
Transgender rights remain a contentious topic in the U.S., with conservatives frequently targeting issues such as transgender athletes in women’s sports. Trump reiterated his stance during a pre-inauguration rally, stating, “We will protect women’s sports and keep all men out of them.”
Advocacy groups and civil rights leaders have pledged an unwavering fight to safeguard progress made under previous administrations, even as the political landscape shifts sharply under Trump’s new policies.