The sex-obsessed Republican Party continues to cater to puritanical religious fanatics by pursuing an intrusive agenda focused on controlling the private behavior of American adults, disregarding personal freedoms and scientific understanding in favor of rigid, ideological policies.
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders that seek to define gender in strictly binary terms and undo policies surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion in the federal government.
The new directive, titled Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, has drawn sharp criticism from advocates for transgender and intersex communities, as well as some scientific organizations.
The core of the policy establishes that the U.S. government will recognize only two sexes—male and female—based on “biological reality,” which it defines as the production of reproductive cells at conception.
The order mandates that federal agencies adhere to this binary understanding and use the term “sex” instead of “gender” in their operations. It also directs the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure that government-issued identification documents, including passports and visas, accurately reflect this sex classification.
Separately, three Republican New Jersey lawmakers supported the “GOP Child Predator Empowerment Act” but only two attached their names to the measure, which is aimed at persecuting some of society’s most vulnerable citizens. Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act
The legislation would allow children to be subjected to invasive investigations, such as genital exams for students suspected of being transgender. According to National Collegiate Athletic Association President Charlie Baker, of more than 500,000 college athletes participating in NCAA sports, less than 10 are transgender.
House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez argued that the law would enable sexual predators to give genital examinations to young children.
Among the Democratic congressional representatives who have referred to the bill as the “GOP Child Predator Empowerment Act” are Jeffries, Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Bobby Scott, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Rep. Maxwell Frost, Rep. Whip Clark, and many of the other 206 Democrats who voted against the bill.
Rep. Jefferson Van Drew signed on as a cosponsor a week after anti-abortion crusader Rep. Christopher Smith, who added his name to the bigotry bill on March 7, 2023.
“Efforts to eradicate the biological reality of sex fundamentally attack women by depriving them of their dignity, safety, and well-being,” the order states, citing concerns about transgender women accessing single-sex spaces. The policy further bans the use of federal funds for gender-transition health care and instructs agencies to revoke guidance documents on transgender equality and anti-LGBTQI+ harassment.
The implications of this policy go beyond transgender individuals, affecting the broader understanding of sex and gender. The order fails to account for the existence of intersex individuals—those born with a combination of male and female anatomical traits. Estimates suggest that 1-2% of the population is intersex, yet their identities and experiences are largely overlooked in the new directive.
Trump also signed an executive order that repeals a provision allowing transgender troops to serve in the military, part of a wide-ranging effort to end Biden-era policies his first day in office.
During his first administration, Trump issued a ban that prevented transgender troops from serving, which former President Joe Biden eliminated. While Trump did not institute a new ban, the repeal of the Biden-era executive order clears the way for one.
“Our community has fought for decades to ensure that our relationships are respected at work, that our identities are accepted at school, and that our service is honored in the military,” said Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson. “Any attack on our rights threatens the rights of any person who doesn’t fit into the narrow view of how they should look and act.”
“The incoming administration is trying to divide our communities in the hope that we forget what makes us strong. But we refuse to back down or be intimidated,” said Robinson. “We are not going anywhere. and we will fight back against these harmful provisions with everything we’ve got.”
After a prayer service this morning, in which the Episcopal bishop of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde, urged the President Donald Trump to rethink some of his hardline policies, particularly towards immigrants and transgender people, Trump was asked by reporters what he made of the sermon. “Not too exciting, was it”, he said. “I didn’t think it was a good service. They could do much better”.
Donald Trump disparages prayer service.
Georgia Representative Mike Collins, a Republican, posted video on X showing Trump’s visible displeasure during that part of the sermon. “The person giving this sermon should be added to the deportation list”, Collins commented.
Here are the comments from the bishop that so irked Trump.
The Episcopal bishop of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde, urged Trump to rethink some of his hardline policies, particularly towards immigrants and transgender people, on Tuesday.
The Intersection of Gender, Sex, and Intersex
Intersex is a term used to describe individuals whose sex characteristics, such as chromosomes, gonads, or genitalia, do not fit typical definitions of male or female. These variations are a natural occurrence and are not inherently a medical problem. Many intersex people lead healthy lives without needing medical interventions, yet historically, some have been subjected to surgeries or hormone treatments to fit binary sex categories without their consent.
While some intersex individuals may also identify as transgender, others may not. The new executive order, however, overlooks the complexity of intersex experiences. For instance, a person with Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, who is assigned female at birth but has internal testes, would be classified as female under the order’s biological definition. Yet this definition fails to address the lived realities of intersex individuals whose bodies do not align neatly with binary sex categories.
The policy has led to widespread concerns that it will not only erase transgender identities but also harm intersex people, particularly those who have undergone or may undergo medical procedures without their consent. One of the most contentious aspects of the policy is its potential to restrict access to gender-affirming care for transgender minors, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy. These treatments are recognized as crucial for the mental and emotional well-being of many transgender youth.
At the same time, the policy provides an opening for continued medical interventions on intersex infants to “normalize” their bodies—often through surgeries that are not medically necessary and can result in significant long-term physical and psychological harm. Medical professionals, including those from the American Academy of Family Physicians, have decried such non-consensual procedures, arguing that they violate human rights and the autonomy of intersex individuals.
While the executive order may not immediately change laws, it represents a significant ideological shift, signaling the Trump administration’s intent to disregard scientific evidence and entrench discriminatory practices against transgender and intersex individuals. Legal challenges are already in motion, with advocates asserting that the order violates basic principles of equality and human rights.
The policy also reflects broader cultural battles over the recognition of transgender and intersex rights. By reinforcing a rigid, binary understanding of sex and gender, it risks stoking fear and confusion among young people, especially those who do not fit within traditional gender norms.
Supporters of transgender and intersex rights argue that the government should prioritize policies that protect the autonomy and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their gender identity or sex characteristics. In contrast, the executive order could push society further away from acceptance and understanding, denying individuals the right to self-determination over their bodies and identities.
As the debate continues, the Trump administration’s stance serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by transgender and intersex communities in the U.S. Efforts to protect these vulnerable groups will likely intensify, as advocates work toward ensuring that all people, regardless of gender or sex, can live freely and authentically.
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