In a bold move, President Donald Trump has issued a sweeping order to eliminate many policies supporting diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and LGBTQ+ rights.
The executive actions, signed just hours after his inauguration for a second term, have sparked sharp criticism from civil rights groups and ignited debates across the nation.
Recognizing Only Two Genders
Trump’s order mandates that the U.S. government will only recognize two immutable sexes, male and female. Government-issued documents such as passports and visas must now reflect an individual’s “biological classification,” effectively ending federal recognition of gender identities outside of this binary framework.
The new policy replaces the term “gender” with “sex” across federal guidelines and rolls back many protections for transgender individuals, including Biden-era measures combating discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
DEI and Racial Equity Measures Dismantled
Trump’s actions include repealing 78 executive orders signed by Joe Biden, at least 12 of which were aimed at advancing racial equity and protecting marginalized groups.
These include measures supporting Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American communities, as well as initiatives promoting fair opportunities for underserved populations.
During his inaugural address, Trump emphasized his administration’s focus on a “merit-based, color-blind society” and vowed to eliminate policies he described as “social engineering.” He further stated, “It is now the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”
Backlash from Civil Rights Groups
The response from rights organizations was swift and intense. Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, declared, “We will fight back against these harmful provisions with everything we’ve got.”
Similarly, Asian Americans Advancing Justice reiterated their commitment to protecting minority rights, combating voter suppression, and addressing systemic discrimination.
Advocates argue that the rollbacks undermine years of progress toward equitable policies for marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ+ community.
Many view the changes as an attack on transgender rights, particularly as the administration plans to narrow the scope of the landmark 2020 Supreme Court ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County, which protected individuals from workplace discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
Corporate Reactions
While some corporations have distanced themselves from DEI measures, major players like Apple and Costco have pledged to maintain their initiatives. Trump’s order explicitly bans the use of federal funds to promote “gender ideology,” a term often criticized by advocacy groups as dismissive and dehumanizing to LGBTQ+ individuals.
Transgender Rights Under Fire
The rollback comes amidst growing political focus on transgender issues, particularly in sports. Trump has vowed to prevent transgender women from competing in women’s sports, a policy that played a significant role in Republican campaigns during the last election.
As the administration begins implementing these changes, debates over the nation’s direction on diversity and inclusion policies are likely to intensify.
