In a recent move by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), new guidance has been released that offers a narrower definition of sex, aligning with an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump. The guidance, which includes definitions for terms like 'sex,' 'female,' 'male,' 'woman,' and 'man,' aims to provide clarity on sex-based classifications.
The HHS website now promotes these definitions and features a video defending a ban on transgender women participating in women's sports. This action was prompted by Trump's executive order titled 'Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.'
The new definitions have sparked criticism from legal experts and civil rights organizations. Michele Bratcher Goodwin, a health law professor, argues that the definitions ignore science and could have real consequences for health and science. The guidance fails to account for individuals who identify as intersex, a group with sexual or reproductive anatomy that doesn't fit the traditional male/female binary.
Despite the controversy, the HHS stands by the new definitions, emphasizing the importance of restoring 'biological truth to the federal government.' Critics, however, view the move as 'mean-spirited' and 'unscientific,' echoing concerns raised in anti-transgender bills at the state level.
Civil rights organizations are actively working to interpret the new guidance for schools and medical groups while pursuing legal action to challenge what they perceive as discriminatory policies. The debate surrounding the definitions of sex and gender is likely to continue, with implications for public health policy and research.
