Washington: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to limit gender transition procedures for individuals under the age of 19, marking his latest action targeting transgender rights since returning to office. The move follows Trump’s earlier comments during his inauguration speech, where he announced his administration would only recognise two genders: male and female.
The executive order issued by Trump on Tuesday aims to restrict medical treatments for minors undergoing gender transition. The order states that the government will no longer fund or support gender transition procedures for children, which it describes as “chemical and surgical mutilation,” including puberty blockers, hormones, and gender-affirming surgeries.
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"Across the country today, medical professionals are maiming and sterilizing a growing number of impressionable children," the order reads. "This dangerous trend will be a stain on our Nation's history, and it must end." Trump’s order also mandates that the government will "rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures."
End of federal support for gender transitions
Under the new policy, federal funding will be withheld for gender transition procedures through several government programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, and the Defence Department's health insurance scheme, which serves approximately two million children.
The executive order stipulates that the government will no longer support gender-affirming medical treatments under these insurance programmes, affecting low-income families, retirees, and children covered under the US Defence Department health plan.
Legal action, Congressional support
In addition to halting federal funding, Trump has pledged to collaborate with Congress to draft legislation that would enable children and parents to sue doctors who perform gender-affirming surgeries on minors.
Trump also made a statement at the World Economic Forum in Davos, emphasising that gender surgery "will occur very rarely" during his presidency, further reinforcing his administration's stance on the issue.
State-level restrictions, ongoing legal debates
This executive order adds to a growing list of actions taken by Republican-led states, with two dozen already enacting laws that restrict access to gender-affirming medical care for minors. In December, the US Supreme Court saw a clash between justices over a Tennessee law banning puberty blockers and hormone therapy for those under 18.
The debate continues to intensify as lawmakers and courts grapple with the issue of gender-affirming care for transgender youth across the country.
Agency
Published: 29 Jan 2025, 07:43 am IST
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