President Trump’s executive order, which recognizes only “two sexes, male and female,” has sparked significant alarm among transgender communities and their allies. This directive, amidst an alarming rise in hate crimes directed at transgender individuals nationwide, effectively undermines their existence across legal, health, and educational sectors.

In a media briefing on January 31, hosted by Ethnic Media Services, a panel of experts gathered to discuss how this new executive order puts the LGBTQ+ community, especially the trans community, at risk.

Speakers

  • Jordan Willow Evans, Executive Committee, MassEquality
  • Sailor Jones, Associate Director, Common Cause North Carolina
  • Ilan H. Meyer, Ph.D., Williams Distinguished Senior Scholar of Public Policy at the Williams Institute and Professor Emeritus of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia University
  • Bamby Salcedo, President and CEO of the TransLatina Coalition
  • Gael Mateo Jerez-Urquia, Project TRANS Services Navigator at the San Diego LGBTQ Center

Research from UCLA’s Williams Institute indicates that there are approximately 1.6 million transgender individuals aged 13 and above in the U.S., with 1.3 million being adults—representing less than 1% of the adult population. Measures targeting this small community can, however, have profound and even life-threatening effects.

The Trevor Project, a leading LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention organization, reported a staggering 700% rise in crisis line calls on Inauguration Day relative to previous weeks, with January seeing a 33% increase. In his January 20 inaugural address, Trump declared, “As of today, the official policy of the United States is that there are only two genders—male and female.” An executive order followed, enforcing this biological definition under the guise of protecting women’s safety.

Dr. Ilan H. Meyer denounced the policy as “outright violence,” highlighting its role in fostering societal prejudice and increasing hate crimes.

According to the California Department of Justice, hate crimes targeting transgender individuals in Los Angeles County soared to 99 incidents in 2023, a 125% rise from the previous year. Under the federal mandate, transgender individuals in prisons and shelters might be assigned based on biological sex, elevating their risk.

Gael Mateo Jerez-Urquia noted heightened anxiety and depression among transgender youth post-policy announcement. “There’s been a marked increase in inquiries about name and gender marker changes,” Jerez-Urquia reported.

Bamby Salcedo expressed outrage: “We’ve already seen numerous states push legislation restricting transgender rights. This executive order is not merely administrative—it fundamentally denies our existence.”

Jordan Willow Evans criticized the order, arguing that it contradicts Republican values of personal freedom and improperly overrides parental and medical authority. 

Sailor Jones added, “The president’s role is to protect all citizens. This order is an attempt to erase the transgender community. Now, more than ever, we must raise our voices and create safer spaces.”

Legal experts predict substantial legal challenges to Trump’s policy. Yet, LGBTQ advocacy groups remain steadfast in their resolve. “We will not disappear, and this executive order cannot erase our existence,” Salcedo affirmed.

 

Images provided by EMS.