The US government has introduced a new executive order establishing an official policy that gender is defined solely by biology at birth. The move has already sparked considerable debate and raises serious concerns for LGBTQ+ rights in the US. Transgender people in particular risk losing protection in everyday life, and in the world of sport, new rules could have a decisive impact on the participation of transgender athletes.
The new executive order, signed by President Donald Trump on January 30, 2025, is entitled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." The document states that gender can only be defined based on biological characteristics at birth. This means that the concept of "gender identity" will no longer be recognized in federal documents and legislation.
In practice, this could have consequences for transgender people in terms of access to healthcare, legal documents, and protection against discrimination. During his term in office, former President Joe Biden worked to expand the protection of transgender rights, but the new proclamation rolls back several of these initiatives.
Civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have criticized the new policy and are warning of legal action to fight it. According to the ACLU, transgender people will now face additional bureaucratic barriers when it comes to passports, driver's licenses, and health insurance information, where gender can no longer be changed based on a person's gender identity.
Furthermore, the policy may mean that employers, hospitals, and schools are no longer required to respect transgender people's gender identity in official contexts. This creates a situation where transgender people risk being excluded from basic social services.
The executive order has also had an impact on the world of sport. Five days after it was signed, a new order was issued explicitly banning transgender women from participating in women's sports. The so-called "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports" order instructs federal authorities and states to ensure that sports are divided according to biological sex.
This means that transgender girls and women can no longer participate in women's sports in schools, universities, and professional leagues. The restriction could have major consequences for the 2028 Olympics, where transgender athletes may now be barred from competing in their preferred categories. Supporters of the announcement believe it protects fairness in women's sports, while opponents see it as discriminatory exclusion of transgender people.
Several civil rights groups have already announced that they will challenge the decree in court. Precedent shows that similar attempts to restrict the rights of transgender people have previously been blocked by the courts. The first lawsuits against the order are expected to take place in March, where activists and legal experts will argue that it violates the constitutional principle of equal treatment.
Meanwhile, the debate continues. While the government maintains that the policy is necessary to protect "biological truth," the LGBTQ+ community fears a rollback of rights that many have fought for decades to achieve. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this executive order will be upheld, blocked by the courts, or met with further resistance from the public and political actors.
According to a new poll, the American public is divided in its opinion of President Trump's latest order to close all federal offices for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Fifty-one percent of those surveyed oppose the decision, while 44% support it—a division that primarily reflects party lines.
This division shows how polarized the debate on gender and inclusion has become in the US. While opponents believe that closing DEI offices will reduce protection for minorities and weaken equality efforts, supporters argue that the initiative will ensure that public resources are not spent on "ideological programs." Regardless of the direction the legislation takes, this division is likely to shape the upcoming presidential elections and political discussions in the US.
The situation in the US is developing rapidly, and details in this article may change at short notice. We are keeping a close eye on developments and will update the article if necessary.
