On January 20, 2025, Trump was inaugurated as President of the United States for the second time and signed several executive orders related to gender issues on his first day in office. Among them, the most eye-catching was the explicit statement that the U.S. government only recognizes two genders: male and female. The implementation of this policy has triggered widespread controversy in American society.
Policy Content and Background
The gender policies of the Trump administration mainly include the following aspects: First, the cancellation of the Biden administration’s policy to relax the change of gender identification on passports and identity cards; second, the prohibition of transgender people from serving in the military; third, the ban on transgender women participating in women’s sports competitions; fourth, the re-imposition of restrictions on the housing arrangements for transgender federal prisoners; and fifth, the restriction of gender transition treatment for minors. Trump claimed that these policies aimed to end the “transgender mental derangement” and protect women from the harm of extreme gender ideology.
Views of Supporters
Trump’s supporters mainly come from the conservative camp. They believe that gender identity should be based on biological facts, not on individual subjective feelings. In their view, the existence of transgender people and the excessive emphasis on their rights challenge traditional gender concepts and social order. Some conservative individuals are also concerned that the diversification of gender identity will lead to a decline in social morality and affect the stability of families and society. In addition, some religious groups have also expressed support for Trump’s gender policies, arguing that gender is given by God and cannot be changed at will.
Views of Opponents
Opponents of Trump’s gender policies are mainly liberals and the LGBTQ community. They argue that Trump’s policies violate the basic human rights of transgender people. As a vulnerable group, transgender people already face many social discriminations and difficulties, and Trump’s policies further exacerbate their predicament. For example, prohibiting transgender people from serving in the military and restricting their access to gender transition treatment not only affects their career development but also causes serious harm to their physical and mental health. In addition, liberals point out that the diversification of gender identity is a reflection of social progress, and Trump’s policies are a step backward in history.
Impact on American Society
Increased Social Division
Trump’s gender policies have further exacerbated the division in American society. The confrontation between supporters and opponents has intensified, with both sides attacking each other on social media and even engaging in conflicts in real life. This division is not only evident among ordinary people but also among political elites. Democrats have strongly condemned Trump’s policies, arguing that they trample on American democratic values.
Numerous Legal Litigations
Trump’s gender policies have also led to numerous legal lawsuits. Some transgender individuals and LGBTQ rights organizations have taken the Trump administration to court, demanding the revocation of the relevant executive orders. For example, federal judges in Maryland and Washington State have already rejected the Trump administration’s policy restricting gender transition treatment for minors. These legal lawsuits not only increase the administrative costs of the government but also create many uncertainties in the implementation of Trump’s gender policies.
Damaged International Image
Trump’s gender policies have also had a negative impact on America’s international image. The United States has always claimed to be the representative of “freedom” and “democracy,” but the regression in gender equality issues has led other countries to question American democratic values. Some international organizations and human rights agencies have also expressed concern and criticism of Trump’s policies.
Conclusion
Trump’s gender policies have sparked widespread controversy in American society. These policies have not only exacerbated the division in American society but also led to numerous legal lawsuits and damaged America’s international image. However, these policies also reflect the deep divisions in American society over gender identity issues, which are unlikely to be bridged in the short term. The future direction of U.S. gender policies remains to be observed.