In his second inaugural address on January 20, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping changes to federal policies regarding gender and LGBTQ+ recognition. Speaking at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., Trump declared that the United States government would officially recognize only two genders—male and female.
Policy Overview
The President stated, “It will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.” This declaration signals the rollback of policies that acknowledged non-binary and transgender identities, including the “X” gender marker on U.S. passports and other official documents.
Executive Order Details
Under an executive order Trump pledged to sign:
- Gender Segregation: Facilities such as prisons and shelters will be segregated strictly by biological sex.
- Pronoun Usage: Government entities and workplaces will no longer be required to address transgender individuals by their preferred pronouns, citing freedom of speech and religion under the First Amendment.
- DEI Funding: Federal funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs will be reviewed, with monthly assessments to identify programs that could be terminated.
Official Statement
A White House official clarified that the changes aim to eliminate what they described as “gender ideology” in federal policies. “No longer will the federal government promote gender ideology. Official documents must now reflect sex accurately,” the official said.
Broader Implications
The policy shift has raised concerns about its impact on transgender and non-binary individuals, particularly in areas like workplace rights, access to public services, and legal protections. Critics argue that the move undermines diversity and inclusion efforts, while supporters hail it as a return to traditional values.
Trump also hinted at dismantling broader DEI initiatives across federal agencies, emphasizing a renewed focus on traditional interpretations of gender and race in public policy.