# Recognizing Only Two Sexes / Rolling Back Gender Policy

> Directed the federal government to recognize only two sexes (male and female) defined at conception, affecting IDs, prisons, shelters and federal policy.

Donald Trump · Culture & Social · Executive Order · EO 14168 · Jan 20, 2025
Official record: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-02090

## What happened

Directed the federal government to recognize only two sexes (male and female) defined at conception, affecting IDs, prisons, shelters and federal policy. Companion orders restricted gender-affirming care for minors and barred transgender people from some military service.

## How it happened

Signed Inauguration Day, followed by implementing orders across agencies.

## Documented impact

- [positive / contested] Supporters say it restores sex-based definitions in law and protects women's spaces/sports. — Backers framed it as defending single-sex facilities and fairness in women's sports.
- [negative / contested] Civil-rights groups say it strips recognition and care from transgender Americans. — Opponents and several courts challenged provisions on passports, military service and minors' care.

## Public opinion

Gender / transgender policy


Genuinely mixed: ~58% support transgender people serving in the military (down from 71% in 2019), but majorities side with Trump on barring transgender women from women's sports and on school-bathroom policy.

Source: Gallup / AP-NORC, 2025

## Sources

- [Federal Register: EO 14168](https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-02090)

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Canonical: https://eo.alanwizemann.com/eo/trump/recognizing-only-two-sexes-rolling-back-gender-policy