Trump makes “two genders” and anti-DEI policy official

Shortly after taking office, U.S.A. President Donald Trump issued executive orders to alter the U.S.A. government’s stance on gender and diversity, fulfilling campaign promises.

He reversed Biden administration directives that the Trump administration labeled as “unpopular, inflationary, illegal, and radical practices within every agency and office of the Federal Government.”

Among the rescinded orders were Biden’s directives aimed at preventing discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. Trump also signed an order officially recognising only two genders—male and female—and stating they cannot be changed, according to ‘BBC’.

“Effective immediately, it is the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female,” Trump declared during his inaugural address earlier on Monday.

Trump has committed to broader efforts addressing conservative concerns about “woke” culture, gender and diversity, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs.

He also revoked a directive intended to promote “racial equity and support for underserved communities.”

An administration official indicated that one of the orders would “end DEI inside the federal government,” including cutting funding to DEI programs across all agencies and reviewing offices renamed because of DEI initiatives.

Since Trump’s election, several large U.S.A. companies like McDonald’s, Walmart, and Facebook parent company Meta have ended or reduced their DEI programs. Meanwhile, companies like Apple, Target, and Costco publicly defended their existing initiatives.

DEI supporters advocate these programs as measures to address ongoing discrimination based on race, sexuality, and other characteristics, spotlighted by racial justice protests following George Floyd’s murder in 2020.

However, the perspective on diversity programs has shifted since 2023 when the U.S.A. Supreme Court barred U.S.A. universities from considering an applicant’s race in their admissions processes.

Affirmative action policies aimed at reducing historic racial and ethnic disparities in higher education have faced increasing scrutiny.

Trump's rise to power aligned with intensifying criticism from conservatives and religious groups against the expansion of transgender rights in the U.S.A..

Throughout the 2024 campaign, Trump maintained a traditional view of gender and criticised Democrats for supporting trans rights.

Project 47, the Trump campaign’s official policy platform, pledged to eliminate federal funding for “radical gender ideology” and “inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content on our children.”

He has opposed policies allowing trans athletes, including school-age, college, and professional athletes, to compete on teams matching their gender identity, suggesting it could undermine women's sports programs.

Trump and fellow Republicans have also advocated for prohibiting specific medical treatments for trans minors.

One of Trump’s notable political ads claimed his opponent, Kamala Harris, supported “they/them,” while “President Trump is for you.”

The order recognising only two official genders could have extensive consequences. Some U.S.A. and global health experts warn that targeting individuals based on gender identity or expression can harm physical and mental well-being.

The World Health Organisation cautions, “Rigid gender norms also negatively affect people with diverse gender identities, who often face violence, stigma and discrimination as a result, including in healthcare settings.”

On Monday, Trump also signed an executive order to withdraw the U.S.A. from the WHO.