In Force

Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports

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SummaryImpact AnalysisStatusLegal ChallengesTake Institutional ActionAssociated or Derivative PoliciesPolicy Prior to 2025Additional Resources
Executive Office of the President - White House Office
Executive Order
Executive Order

Policy Type: Executive Order

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
February 5, 2025
Last Updated
May 30, 2025
Policy Type
Education
LGBTQI+ Health

Summary

This order seeks to rescind all federal funding to educational programs that permit individuals assigned male at birth to participate in women's sports. The Secretary of Education and Attorney General are directed to "protect all-female athletic opportunities" under Title IX. Federal agencies have reviewed grants to educational programs and have attempted to rescind funding from institutions that have not complied with this order. The order has been challenged multiple times by students, educational institutions, and city and state governments.

Impact Analysis

By reinforcing the perception of trans-women as threats, this order contributes to the widespread marginalization of trans-persons. Combined with other executive orders, it sets a dangerous precedent that could enable discrimination against trans individuals in other sectors from health to employment. The order also restricts the ability of educational institutions to create policies best suited to their community's needs.

Status

Legal Challenges

Tirrell and Turmelle v. Edulblut

Take Institutional Action

Health systems and providers should continue to provide essential and culturally competent medical care for patients, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.  Health systems can limit sponsorship to community sports programs that are inclusive and do not discriminate against trans-athletes.   Health systems can provide additional education to their providers through programs such as Fenway Heath's program titled:  Health Benefits and Considerations of Sports Participation and Physical Activity for Transgender and Gender Diverse People.

Associated or Derivative Policies

EO14168 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/30/2025-02090/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal

Policy Prior to 2025

EO 1402 1https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/03/11/2021-05200/guaranteeing-an-educational-environment-free-from-discrimination-on-the-basis-of-sex-including

Additional Resources

CUPA-HR Trump Executive Order to Ban Transgender Student-Athletes from Participation in Women's Support https://www.cupahr.org/blog/executive-order-to-ban-transgender-student-athletes-from-womens-sports-2025-02-06/

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Skadden: Ban on Transgender Women in Court https://www.skadden.com/insights/publications/2025/02/ban-on-transgender-women-from-female-sports-is-challenged-in-court

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Reuters: US Says UPenn's Transgender Policy Illegal https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-says-upenns-transgender-policy-illegal-demands-return-athletic-awards-2025-04-28/

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HRC: Day One Orders Impacting LGBT+ Populations https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/background-on-trump-day-one-executive-orders-impacting-the-lgbtq-community

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Withdrawn
February 28, 2025

Cancellation of Section 4 Grants

Department of Housing and Urban Development
Agency Directive
Agency Directive

Policy Type: Agency Directive

An internal instruction issued by a government agency outlining policies, procedures, or actions to be followed by agency employees. While not legally binding outside the agency, these directives guide agency operations and decision-making.

Who It Impacts: Employees and divisions within the issuing federal agency. These directives guide how staff enforce regulations, allocate resources, and interpret laws. They may also affect industries regulated by the agency.

Who Is Not Impacted: The general public and businesses are not directly bound by agency directives, though these policies may indirectly influence enforcement practices that affect them.

Last Updated
February 28, 2025
Policy Type

This action terminates contracts and grants for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 4 program, also known as the Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Program. Section 4 provides funding to Community Development Corporations and Community Housing Development Organizations to support affordable housing initiatives and community development projects that directly benefit low- and moderate-income families and individuals.

Housing
Social Safety Net
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In Force
January 29, 2025

DOT implementation of Executive Orders Addressing Energy, Climate Change, Diversity, and Gender

Department of Transportation
Memo
Memo

Policy Type: Memo

A written policy statement issued by a government agency or executive official that provides guidance, clarification, or direction on implementing laws or policies. Memos do not have the force of law but can influence policy interpretation and enforcement.

Who It Impacts: Federal agencies, policymakers, and sometimes regulated industries. Memos can shape how agencies enforce laws, impacting businesses, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders.

Who Is Not Impacted: Memos do not create binding legal requirements for the general public, though they can influence enforcement priorities that indirectly affect individuals and organizations.

Last Updated
January 29, 2025
Policy Type

This action states that U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) must adhere to a heightened requirement of cost/benefit analysis, complicating the consideration of social justice, equity or environmental impacts. Projects will be prioritized if they support transportation for families, with preference to areas with marriage and birth rates higher than the national average. Projects will be deprioritized for communities that have vaccine mandates or mask mandates in place or that – in the opinion of federal administration - do comply with immigration enforcement.

Climate
Transportation
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LGBTQI+ Health
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