U.S. President, Donald Trump on Monday, officially repealed several executive orders promoting LGBTQ rights and diversity initiatives. In the process, he issued new decrees that define gender strictly as male or female and eliminate federal diversity programs.
This move marks a significant shift from the policies of the previous administration and aligns with Trump’s ongoing opposition to what he describes as “woke culture.”
During his campaign, Trump criticized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, claiming they unfairly discriminated against white men.
One of the new executive orders stated, “The Biden Administration forced illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI), into virtually all aspects of the Federal Government, in areas ranging from airline safety to the military.”
Trump also targeted policies recognizing gender diversity, particularly those protecting transgender individuals.
He overturned 78 executive actions from the Biden administration that supported LGBTQ equality and promoted diversity in workplaces, healthcare, and education.
Among the revoked orders were protections against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as initiatives addressing inequities for Black, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander Americans.
In a separate executive order, Trump mandated that federal agencies offer only “male” and “female” as gender options, eliminating any recognition of non-binary identities, such as “X” on official documents like passports.
The order further instructed agencies to use “clear and accurate language” acknowledging biological definitions of male and female.
Reactions from concerned citizens:
The rollback of these policies has drawn sharp criticism from LGBTQ advocates and legal experts, with many predicting legal challenges.
The changes also threaten access to gender-affirming medical care where federal funding is involved, potentially affecting programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and federal prison healthcare.
“These announcements and these policy changes really affect people in a deep level.
“It’s a horrible place to be when you are unaffirmed and alone in this world,” Angel Bullard, a 22-year-old transgender student from Wyoming, told AFP.
A professor and expert on LGBTQ policy, Jami Taylor, warned that the changes could further limit healthcare access for marginalized communities, exacerbating existing inequalities.
The LGBTQ Victory Fund emphasized the urgency of electing pro-equality candidates, noting the rise in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and rollbacks of inclusive mandates.
Director of the LGBT National Help Center, Aaron Almanza, reported a sharp increase in calls for support, with daily inquiries surging from 300 to over 2,000.
Trump’s campaign rhetoric frequently included anti-transgender messages, resonating with his base and garnering applause at rallies.
The latest executive orders solidify those campaign promises, further polarizing the national discourse on diversity and inclusion.
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