The Office on Women’s Health (OWH), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has launched a new webpage to reflect updated guidelines that align with the Trump administration's executive orders. These policies aim to "protect children from chemical and surgical mutilation" and "keep men out of women’s sports," marking a significant shift in federal health policy. The move has generated considerable debate, with critics alleging that it seeks to erase transgender identities and enforce a strict gender binary.
HHS's new guidelines necessitate the removal of references to gender inclusivity from federal health agency webpages. A federal judge has intervened, ordering the restoration of previously deleted information. In response, some pages on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website now include disclaimers, stating that sex is defined by chromosomal sex, gonadal sex, external genitalia, and secondary sex characteristics. Genetic sex is determined at conception when a sperm fertilizes an egg, with hundreds of genes directing the differentiation of gonads and subsequent hormonal influences on genital development.
The Trump administration acknowledges only two sexes: male and female. This rigid classification has sparked lawsuits from medical organizations who argue it contradicts scientific understanding. Ray Haider, MD, a psychiatrist, voiced concerns about the psychological impact of these policies on transgender individuals.
“The psychological toll of this new executive order which seeks to erase transgender people and enforce a gender binary, cannot be overstated,” – Haider
The HHS emphasizes that biological differences between females and males require distinct medical practices to ensure optimal health outcomes. Dorothy Fink, MD, supported this approach, noting that sex distinctions can significantly affect disease presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.
“In health care, sex distinctions can influence disease presentation, diagnosis, and treatment differently in females and males,” – Dorothy Fink, MD
However, experts argue that the new sex-based definitions issued by HHS Secretary RFK Jr. contradict scientific consensus. Haider highlighted the complexity of sex characteristics, citing conditions such as androgen insensitivity syndrome.
“While a person with XY chromosomes is likely to have testes and a penis and be classified as ‘male,’ XY individuals with conditions such as androgen insensitivity syndrome (an intersex condition) can develop external sex characteristics typical of females,” – Haider
Anne-Marie Amies Oelschlager, MD, who provides care for children and teens on the intersex spectrum, expressed concerns about how these guidelines may further marginalize vulnerable populations.
Ray Haider further emphasized the essential role of recommended treatments for alleviating gender dysphoria in his clinical practice.
“In my clinical practice, I routinely encounter patients who rely on essential medical treatments, recommended by WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health), such as hormone therapy or surgeries, to alleviate gender dysphoria and maintain their physical health.” – Haider
The executive order's language has also sparked concern among parents of transgender children, who fear increased discrimination.
“Parents are very upset about this; they know how vulnerable their children are, they already face so much discrimination. This type of language negates the fact that they exist and is othering. It’s deeply sad to me,” – Haider
In defense of the changes, Kennedy stated that the administration aims to restore "biological truth" to federal policies.
“This administration is bringing back common sense and restoring biological truth to the federal government,” Kennedy said in a news release. “The prior administration’s policy of trying to engineer gender ideology into every aspect of public life is over.” – Kennedy
Meanwhile, the CDC maintains its stance on biological classification.
“Any information on this page promoting gender ideology is extremely inaccurate and disconnected from the immutable biological reality that there are two sexes, male and female.” – CDC
Leave a Reply