The government of Donald Trump (Republican Party) announced, last Friday (12), that it changed the definition of gender into a standard for “male or female defined by biology”.
In practice, the change edited by the Department of Health and Human Services and approved by the president makes it difficult for transgender people to access health plans or treatments, so they are more exposed to possible discrimination when they seek them. Health professionals, equipment and companies that receive federal resources will also be affected.
Although it addresses discrimination in one provision, the text only protects cisgender males and females, without considering possible discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Another practical effect of the decision is the overturning of the definition adopted by the previous government, of Barack Obama (Democratic Party), which brought a broader and, therefore, progressive characterization of gender: “male, female, none or a combination of male and female”.
