Trump’s Stance on Transgender Issues and LGBTQ Rights: What the ‘Two Genders’ Policy Means for the World – BBC News Pidgin

LGBT advocates are expressing concern over a recent executive order from President Donald Trump. The order impacts diversity programs and transgender rights, and they describe it as “dangerous,” fearing it could jeopardize their efforts abroad.

In contrast, conservative groups have welcomed the move, believing it will help redirect resources effectively.

This executive order, titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to Federal Governance,” officially recognizes only two genders—male and female. It mandates that government employees use the term “sex” in official documents rather than “gender.” Birth certificates will be based on the sex recorded at birth, which the order describes as an “individual immutable biological classification.”

Additionally, Trump ordered government staff involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs to take immediate paid administrative leave before closing those offices. This reverses policies initiated during the Biden administration that supported protections against discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

President Biden had allowed U.S. citizens to select “X” as a gender marker on their passports, offering an alternative to male or female.

Julia Ehrt, executive director of ILGA World, warns that Trump’s order could roll back historic progress made for global LGBTQ+ rights. She is concerned it could inspire similar actions in other countries, potentially emboldening authoritarian leaders to further marginalize minorities.

Interestingly, Trump’s order resonates with actions taken by Argentina’s President Javier Milei, who recently disbanded the country’s Women, Gender, and Diversity Ministry to cut public spending. This move has garnered support beyond U.S. borders, even from individuals in countries like Honduras. Alma Sanchez, a young doctor there, believes Trump’s order will halt funding for gender programs in her country, which she views positively.

Some groups opposing gender identity concepts and certain religious organizations also support Trump’s stance. Bishop John Praise Daniel from Nigeria’s Pentecostal Fellowship expressed that the order clarifies traditional gender roles as binary, opposing fluid identities, which he sees as a return to “righteousness and order.”

• A person’s gender identity may not match the sex recorded on their birth certificate.
• Gender identity describes how individuals perceive themselves, encompassing a range of identities beyond just male and female.
• The World Health Organization regards gender identity as a social construct that varies across cultures and time.
• As of late 2024, 21 countries allow individuals to self-identify their gender without legal or medical approval.

In the U.S., around 1.6% of adults identify as transgender or non-binary, according to Pew Research. A global survey indicated that 3% of respondents from 30 countries identified as such.

Many human rights activists worry that the executive order could undermine grassroots organizations in countries with limited support for transgender issues. In nations like Kenya, where legal recognition of transgender individuals is absent, local organizations often rely heavily on U.S. funding for LGBTQ+ support.

Organizations promoting women’s and gender equality also depend on U.S. funding. In 2023, President Biden’s budget request was around $2.6 billion for foreign programs promoting gender equity, significantly higher than previous years.

Activist Patsey Githinji from Nairobi stresses that the Trump executive order could threaten crucial funding, which helps connect vulnerable communities in Kenya to necessary healthcare and support services.

International gender experts are also concerned that anti-trans rhetoric from the U.S. could influence discussions worldwide. For example, India recognizes “Hijra” as a third gender, allowing this identity to appear on official documents. However, activists in India fear that U.S. policies could provoke negative changes for transgender rights in their country.

Although executive orders in the U.S. often face legal challenges and delays, the implications of Trump’s actions will be felt not just in America but across the globe.