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Trump Administration Redefines Sex in Federal Policy, Drawing Sharp Criticism

New HHS guidance narrows the definitions of sex, male, and female, sparking concerns over scientific validity and societal impact.

  • The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued new definitions of terms like 'sex,' 'man,' and 'woman,' aligning with a recent executive order by President Trump.
  • The definitions emphasize biological immutability, describing sex as determined by reproductive anatomy and gamete production, excluding gender identity as a factor.
  • Critics argue the definitions ignore scientific complexity and could harm transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals by rendering them invisible in policy and research.
  • The guidance has been described by legal experts and advocacy groups as discriminatory and unscientific, with potential consequences for healthcare, research, and civil rights.
  • The move marks a significant departure from the Biden administration's inclusive approach, which previously broadened the definitions of sex and gender in federal policy.
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