United States of America - January 2025

Executive orders issued in January determine that the US policy will be to only recognize the male and female sex, rejecting the concept of gender identity. Government-issued identification and paperwork will no longer reflect a person’s gender identity and federal agencies have been directed to issue guidance ‘protecting sex-based distinctions’ and access to single-sex spaces in settings such as prisons (where gender-affirming care will no longer be supported), detention centres and shelters. A specific order further prevents transgender people from serving in the military.

Additional executive orders have ended 'diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI) and ‘diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility’ (DEIA) programs, which have been characterized by the Trump administration as illegal discrimination. This includes the termination of all DEI, DEIA and ‘environmental justice’ positions and of the hiring of federal officials pursuant to DEI. The orders have been challenged before the courts, and in the interim have created a great deal of uncertainty for those affected by the orders. 

Update: In March, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the closure of its environmental justice offices, whose work included the analysis and relief of the impact of pollution on marginalized communities and people living in poverty. 

Sources: NBC, Just Security, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency