Secretary Scott Turner has directed the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to stop enforcement actions related to a 2016 rule concerning gender identity in housing programs. This move aligns with President Donald Trump's agenda to emphasize biological sex in federal policies.
The 2016 rule, introduced during Barack Obama's presidency, mandated that HUD-funded programs determine eligibility based on self-identified gender. Secretary Turner's decision halts this requirement, focusing instead on providing services based on sex at birth.
In a statement covered by Fox News, Turner remarked that this decision is part of restoring "biological truth" in government operations. Breitbart quoted him saying, "We are carrying out the mission laid out by President Trump," emphasizing the recognition of only two sexes.
The Daily Caller reported Turner's intent to protect women in shelters from sharing spaces with individuals identifying as a different gender than their birth sex. The Daily Wire highlighted concerns about safety for women fleeing domestic violence if men were allowed into these spaces.
An incident cited by OANN involved a lawsuit from nine women against a California shelter, alleging harassment by a biological male identifying as female. Critics argue that the Obama-era rule led to uncomfortable situations for women in shelters.
According to the New York Post, critics claim the previous rule forced women into sharing space with biological males. The Washington Examiner noted that while protections for sexual orientation remain unaffected, the definition of "gender identity" will revert to biological sex under Turner's directive.
