'We know who we are': Advocate's message after Trump declares 'only two genders'

Tuesday, 21 January 2025 15:45

Trump is expected to sign an executive order, which will officially recognise only two sexes, male and female.

An Australian trans advocate has vowed a "speech or policy" could never erase a global community, after US President Donald Trump announced plans to roll back transgender protections.

Trump is expected to sign an executive order, which will officially recognise only two sexes, male and female, reversing efforts by the Biden administration to expand gender identity designations, including on passports.

The move will create an even more hostile environment for trans people than ever before, Teddy Cook told 9news.com.au.

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Cook, who has been an activist for more than two decades, said the type of rhetoric being discussed was incredibly "harmful".

"A trans person in America is certainly waking up today in a much more hostile environment that existed yesterday. But yesterday was also incredibly hostile for trans people," he said.

"We're not moving into an unsafe place. The unsafe place we're already in is just being expanded."

According to Trump's administration official, the order was aimed at "defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truths to the federal government.

The federal government would also shift from using the term "gender" to "sex," and that sex would be "an individual's immutable biological classification," the official said.

At least a dozen measures combating discrimination and supporting racial equity are expected to be repealed by Trump.

Cook said he would be thinking of trans advocates in the US and all over the world today, who have worked "tirelessly to protect, uplift, and support the trans experience".

"It's not as if Australian trans people are living in a utopia. I've lost many trans people to suicide over the last couple of years," he said.

"The lived experience of a trans person has improved considerably. But we are still one of the most vulnerable, neglected and at-risk populations in Australia.

"A speech, a policy or a press release could never erase us," he said.

"Trans people of all genders will continue being part of every community, despite attempts otherwise.

"We've already long learned that no one can take away trans joy and who we know ourselves to be, the biggest thing to remember is that we're never alone."

Counselling and referral services for LGBTIQ+ individuals are available through QLife on 1800 184 527 or online.

Crisis support is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14.