Trump’s Opening Moves Signal Unprecedented Assault on Transgender Rights

In less than a week, President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers have launched an aggressive campaign against transgender rights, introducing federal legislation and executive orders that redefine gender and restrict participation in public life for transgender Americans. Advocacy groups warn that these measures represent an unprecedented effort to curtail LGBTQ+ freedoms.

Shortly after taking office on Monday, Trump signed an executive order limiting the federal government’s recognition of gender to biology, defining sex as strictly male or female based on reproductive roles at birth. This order reverses previous policies allowing gender identity to influence federal documentation and access to single-sex spaces, fulfilling Trump’s campaign promise to impose stricter definitions of gender.

On Tuesday, the House passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025, which bans transgender athletes from competing in women’s and girls’ sports. The bill, approved 218-206 largely along party lines, defines sex solely based on “reproductive biology and genetics at birth.”

Two Democrats, Reps. Vincente Gonzales and Henry Cuellar of Texas, joined Republicans in voting for the bill, likely influenced by political pressures from their conservative districts.

Advocates for transgender rights view these moves as the beginning of a broader assault. “This is part of a concerted effort by many on the right to push transgender people out of public life entirely,” said Ian Thompson, a senior legislative advocate at the ACLU. David Stacy, vice president of government affairs for the Human Rights Campaign, echoed this concern, stating that the federal government is poised to escalate attacks on LGBTQ+ rights over the next two years.

The executive order not only limits federal recognition of gender identity but also mandates that government-issued identification, such as passports, must reflect a person’s sex assigned at birth. It further nullifies protections established under the Supreme Court’s 2020 Bostock v. Clayton County decision, which prohibited workplace discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

Anti-transgender bills, like the sports legislation, are gaining traction at the federal level, mirroring recent state-level initiatives. Eight anti-trans bills have already been introduced in Congress this session.

Many focus on banning gender-affirming care and limiting transgender students’ participation in school activities. Titles like the “Stop the Invasion of Women’s Spaces Act” exemplify the fear-driven rhetoric behind these proposals, according to Andrew Bales, founder of the Anti-Trans Legislation Tracker.

Advocates warn that provisions targeting Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care could have devastating effects, as transgender individuals disproportionately rely on government-funded healthcare. A similar measure in December 2024 eliminated coverage for gender-affirming treatments under military insurance.

Despite Republican control of both chambers of Congress, the passage of such legislation into law remains uncertain. The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act faces significant hurdles in the Senate, where Democrats remain largely united against it. Republican lawmakers would need at least seven Democratic senators to secure the 60 votes necessary to advance the bill.

Ian Thompson expressed hope that Senate Democrats will maintain their opposition, as seen in the House vote.

LGBTQ+ advocates stress the importance of public opposition to these policies. David Stacy called for Americans to contact their representatives and participate in the rule-making process.

“People really need to weigh in. Now is the time to take action, and not just stand idly by,” he urged. Advocacy groups emphasize that blocking these measures requires consistent engagement from concerned citizens.

As Trump’s administration continues its efforts to redefine gender and restrict transgender rights, advocates are bracing for a wave of legislation that could reshape federal policy and impact millions of Americans. The fight for LGBTQ+ rights, they argue, is entering a critical phase, and public resistance will be key to countering these measures.