This order has considerable implications for transgender and gender diverse individuals (TGD). Restriction of legal documentation to sex-assigned at birth will limit the ability for TGD to safely travel oversees, which may impact access to travel for work, family, or health treatments. Justice-involved TGD individuals, and especially trans women, will face increased violence and harassment while in detention. There are documented health consequences of restricting access to gender-affirming care, including medical de-transition, hormone imbalance, and poor mental health. It will also limit TGD individuals’ ability to access safe, gender appropriate housing.
Executive Office of the President - White House Office
A directive issued by the President that manages operations of the federal government. Executive orders have the force of law but must align with existing statutes and constitutional authority.
Who It Impacts: Federal agencies and employees, directing them on how to implement laws or carry out government functions. Executive orders can also influence businesses and individuals when they relate to issues like immigration, trade, or labor policies.
Who Is Not Impacted: Private citizens and businesses do not have to directly follow an executive order unless it leads to regulations or policies that apply to them. For example, an executive order directing federal agencies to increase renewable energy use does not mandate action from private companies, but it may influence policy shifts that eventually affect them.
Date Enacted
January 20, 2025
Last Updated
June 23, 2025
Policy Type
Research and Data
Housing
Healthcare Coverage
No items found.
Summary
Executive Order 14186 seeks to define and federally recognize only two distinct biological categories of sex in the United States - male and female, reducing definitions of gender to biological binaries. The EO directs federal agencies to take specific actions, including removing federal statements and resources related to LGBTQ and gender expansive communities, requiring federal government-issued identification documents to align with sex-assigned-at-birth, banning the use of federal funds for gender-affirming care for justice-involved individuals, mandating that detainment center placement align with sex-assigned-at-birth, and enforcing these definitions across federal agencies.
Impact Analysis
Legal Challenges
PFLAG, INC., et al v. Trump et al (D.Md.)
ACLU Massachusetts lawsuit (passports) filed 2/7/25
Prison transfer TRO issued 2/4/25
Doctors for America v. OPM et al (D.D.C.)
San Francisco AIDS Foundation et al v. Trump (D.D.C.)
Chicago Women in Trades v. Trump (N.D. Ill.)
American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education v. Carter (D. Md.)
Rhode Island Latino Arts v. National Endowment for the Arts (D.R.I.)
State of California v. U.S Department of Education (D. Mass.)
Take Institutional Action
Health systems should continue to provide essential and culturally competent medical care for their patients, regardless of sex or gender identity.
Health systems should communicate proactively with patients, providers, staff, and community partners about organizational core values related to inclusive work environments and equitable patient care.
Healthcare institutions should review state non-discrimination laws and ensure HR practices and clinical care are aligned with those protections.
Health care institutions should continue - in all spaces they can - use broad definitions of gender including capturing gender identify and sexual orientation data in the electronic health record.
Health care institutions should continue to provide staff and care providers training on culturally competent care, ensuring all patients are treated with dignity and respect during care encounters.
Health care institutions should meet with LGBTQI+ community leaders to work together to craft solutions that could minimize harm.
Health care institutions should continue existing programming supporting TGD individuals according to their mission but remains in compliance with legal regulations will be crucial for providing life-saving care and supports to the community.
Associated or Derivative Policies
EO 14183 “Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness” https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/DCPD-202500187/pdf/DCPD-202500187.pdf
EO 14187 “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation” - https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-children-from-chemical-and-surgical-mutilation/
Policy Prior to 2025
The Equal Access Rule, “Equal Access in Accordance with an Individual’s Gender Identity in Community Planning and Development Programs” was published in 2012 and updated in 2016 and required all programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development serve individuals according to their gender identity and eliminating any invasive or discriminatory practices to deliver proof of gender when seeking shelter. This rule was rescinded in EO14186 “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” - https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-HH-PURL-gpo235114/pdf/GOVPUB-HH-PURL-gpo235114.pdf
EO 13988, “Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation” - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/25/2021-01761/preventing-and-combating-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-gender-identity-or-sexual-orientation
EO 14004, “Enabling All Qualified Americans To Serve Their Country in Uniform” - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/28/2021-02034/enabling-all-qualified-americans-to-serve-their-country-in-uniform
EO 14020, “Establishment of the White House Gender Policy Council” - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/03/11/2021-05183/establishment-of-the-white-house-gender-policy-council
EO 14075, “Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Individuals” - https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/06/21/2022-13391/advancing-equality-for-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queer-and-intersex-individuals
The Title IX Final Rule of July 2024 publishes by the US Department of Education expanded the definition of “sex-based harassment” to be inclusive of harassment based on sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy. - https://www.ed.gov/media/document/title-ix-final-rule-summary-33970.pdf
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