Overview

• President Donald Trump signed an executive order affirming the federal government's recognition of only two sexes, male and female, based on biological characteristics.
• The order reverses Biden-era policies that expanded protections for gender identity and directs federal agencies to adjust regulations and documents accordingly.
• Critics argue the policy could harm transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals, with potential impacts on mental health, identity documentation, and access to gender-specific facilities.
• Supporters claim the order restores clarity and fairness in single-sex spaces, such as prisons and shelters, and aligns federal policies with biological definitions of sex.
• The order has drawn legal challenges and resistance from some state and local authorities, who cite conflicts with existing anti-discrimination laws.