Trump Administration Issues Strict Definition of Gender, Sparks Controversy
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump implemented an executive order redefining gender as strictly male or female, determined by sex assigned at birth.
This directive establishes these categories as unchangeable, requiring federal agencies to conform official records, such as IDs and passports, to this definition
The order also impacts policies in federal prisons, mandating that transgender inmates be housed based on their birth-assigned sex. Additionally, it could restrict access to gender-affirming medical care for incarcerated individuals. These measures overturn policies from previous administrations that expanded recognition of gender diversity, such as allowing changes to gender markers on government documents and recognizing non-binary identities. Civil rights advocates are expected to challenge the new policy in court.
Aligned with his campaign promises, President Trump has also reiterated plans to prohibit transgender individuals from serving in the military. Further, he has called for policies barring transgender women and girls from participating in women’s sports. These steps are part of a broader initiative to reinforce traditional definitions of gender and curtail policies seen as supportive of gender diversity.
Transgender Population in the United States
As of 2022, research from the Williams Institute revealed that more than 1.6 million people aged 13 and older in the United States identify as transgender.
This group constitutes about 0.6% of the nation’s population, including approximately 1.3 million adults and 300,000 youth aged 13 to 17.