Former President Donald Trump has signed a controversial executive order prohibiting gender transitions for individuals under the age of 19. This move seeks to eliminate what the Trump administration describes as "gender radicalism in the military." The executive order directs the Secretary of Defense to revise the Pentagon's policies regarding transgender troops, potentially leading to a ban on their service in the military.
The Trump administration has a history of taking steps to limit the rights of transgender individuals, having previously halted the recruitment of transgender people while allowing those already serving to remain. Although Trump announced intentions to ban transgender troops during his first term, he did not implement such a policy until now. This executive order marks a continuation of efforts to overturn protections established during the Biden administration.
The order has drawn criticism from various advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Harper Seldin, a staff attorney for the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project, remarked:
“It’s very clear that this order, in combination with the other orders that we’ve seen over the past week, are meant to not protect anyone in this country, but rather to single-mindedly drive out transgender people of all ages from all walks of civic life.”
The executive order outlines its stance against what it terms as "chemical and surgical mutilation," referring to puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and surgeries associated with gender transition. The order emphatically states that the United States will not:
“fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ‘transition’ of a child from one sex to another.”
The definition of "child" within the order applies to individuals under 19 years of age. The Trump administration’s decision has sparked legal challenges from several current or prospective transgender service members. These individuals argue that the order infringes upon their equal protection rights under the Fifth Amendment.
The broader implications of the executive order extend beyond military service. It is part of a larger initiative by the Trump administration to restrict access to gender-affirming care for transgender individuals. While Medicaid programs in some states currently cover gender-affirming treatments, this order could impede access to these essential services.
A study conducted in 2022 by the Stanford University School of Medicine highlighted the mental health benefits for transgender people who access hormone replacement therapy during adolescence compared to those who begin treatment as adults. Critics warn that the executive order could negatively impact the mental health and well-being of transgender youth.
The move has fueled concerns among LGBTQ+ advocacy groups about a "dangerous trend" that could leave a lasting mark on the nation's history. Trump's executive order describes its motivation as preventing:
“maiming and sterilizing a growing number of impressionable children under the radical and false claim that adults can change a child’s sex through a series of irreversible medical interventions.”
Meanwhile, the ACLU is examining potential legal actions in response to the order. The organization and other advocates argue that these policies are part of an ongoing effort by the Trump administration to restrict LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms.