The White House has issued a new executive order aimed at reinforcing the recognition of biological sex within federal policy. The order asserts that there are two immutable sexes, male and female, and seeks to ensure that this distinction is maintained across various governmental functions.
According to the administration, "Efforts to eradicate the biological reality of sex fundamentally attack women by depriving them of their dignity, safety, and well-being." The order emphasizes the importance of basing federal policy on what it describes as scientific truth for public safety and trust in government.
The directive outlines several definitions related to sex and gender. It states that "‘Sex’ shall refer to an individual’s immutable biological classification as either male or female" and distinguishes these terms from "gender identity," which it describes as a subjective sense disconnected from biological reality.
Under this new policy, all federal agencies are required to use these definitions when interpreting laws or policies. Agencies must also revise identification documents such as passports to reflect an individual's sex based on these definitions. Additionally, any statements or policies promoting what the order calls "gender ideology" must be removed.
The order also addresses privacy concerns in intimate spaces like prisons and shelters. It mandates that males should not be housed in women's facilities and instructs relevant departments to make necessary regulatory changes.
Federal funds will not support initiatives promoting gender ideology under this directive. The Attorney General is tasked with issuing guidance ensuring freedom of expression regarding binary sex distinctions in workplaces covered by the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Finally, within 30 days, proposed legislation codifying these definitions will be presented to the President. Agencies have 120 days to report on their compliance with this order's requirements.
