President Donald Trump’s first day back in office marked a bold step toward reshaping the federal stance on gender identity. With one of his initial executive orders, Trump instructed the federal government to cease recognizing transgender identities, opting instead to define gender strictly as male or female.
This measure aligns with his broader agenda to curb what he describes as “gender extremism,” aiming to prevent social engineering of gender and race by the federal government.
The move garnered significant praise from advocates of women’s sports and groups supporting sex-based rights. Riley Gaines, a well-known women’s sports activist, hailed Trump as a “champion for women.”
She took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her support, highlighting the significance of this decision. “We finally have a true CHAMPION for women in the White House,” Gaines declared, emphasizing the importance of establishing sex-based definitions at the federal level.
We finally have a true CHAMPION for women in the White House.
Sex-based definitions are already law in 8 states & introduced in 8 more. Today, it will be established at the federal level.
I want to thank @IWV for being the architect of definitions legislation.👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/LeWwZMlo1n
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) January 20, 2025
Gaines has been vocal about protecting women’s sports from male athletes identifying as female, consistently criticizing policies she believes hinder opportunities for female athletes. Her support reflects a growing sentiment among women’s rights groups advocating for legal protections based on biological sex.
The policy change was met with widespread approval from other advocates and social media users. Michael McCurcheon, an X user, celebrated the announcement by writing, “Sanity returns! God bless Trump!” Another user commented, “Finally some sanity being restored,” underscoring the relief felt by many.
The advocacy group Women’s Rights Matter also voiced its support for Trump’s actions, stating that his decision marked a significant step toward protecting women and girls under the law.
Their post on X highlighted the importance of defining gender based on biological sex, especially in contexts like prisons and sports.
Trump’s executive order builds on the momentum at the state level, where eight states have already passed laws defining gender based on biological sex. Similar measures have been introduced in at least eight additional states, indicating a growing trend toward this approach.
The administration’s move to adopt these definitions federally represents a shift from the previous administration’s more expansive interpretation of gender identity.
The Biden administration had enacted policies allowing individuals to self-identify their gender, leading to debates over issues such as participation in women’s sports and the placement of male inmates in women’s prisons.
Trump’s directive effectively reverses those policies, prioritizing protections for biological women. By defining gender in binary terms at the federal level, he seeks to address concerns over the impact of transgender policies on women’s rights, privacy, and safety.
As the debate over gender identity and women’s rights continues, Trump’s action has reignited national discussions. Advocates on both sides are closely watching how these changes will impact existing laws and future legislation.
For supporters of Trump’s policy, this marks a significant victory in their ongoing fight to preserve sex-based rights and ensure fair treatment for women and girls across the nation.