Trump’s executive orders reverse Biden-era protections for gay community

President Donald Trump’s return to the White House has resulted in an immediate and sweeping revival of policies that aim to roll back numerous Biden-era initiatives, particularly those that protect LGBTQ+ rights, environmental commitments, and federal workforce regulations. This dramatic shift was signalled by multiple executive orders signed throughout the day on Monday, culminating in a high-profile ceremony at Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena, where he formalised nine key orders.

One of the focal points of Trump’s signed measures is the rescission of 78 executive actions initiated by former President Joe Biden. These actions included crucial protections for LGBTQ+ Americans, efforts aimed at enhancing diversity and equity in federal initiatives, as well as numerous environmental measures and pandemic-related policies.

A significant and controversial aspect of this rollback is the revocation of Executive Order 14075, which had been implemented by Biden in June 2022 to advance protections specifically aimed at LGBTQ+ individuals. This directive played a pivotal role in expanding access to gender-affirming care, prohibiting conversion therapy, and ensuring safe environments for LGBTQ+ youth across various settings, including schools, foster care, and homeless shelters. By dismantling this order, Trump has removed critical support systems for millions of LGBTQ+ individuals who might now face heightened discrimination, especially in states with less progressive attitudes toward transgender rights.

Biden’s order had included provisions that fortified safeguards for LGBTQ+ youth, directing federal agencies to address their overrepresentation in foster care and homelessness while also working to protect these young people from discrimination and abuse. Trump’s rescission negates these resources and guidance, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of an already vulnerable demographic.

Trump’s orders also targeted other federal initiatives that promoted diversity and equity within government operations. These programmes, which aimed to confront systemic inequalities impacting marginalized communities, have been dismissed by the Trump administration as “radical” and “divisive.”

In addition to social policies, Trump announced the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, effectively reversing Biden’s commitment to global climate action. This decision has been framed as a rejection of what the administration terms “climate extremism,” isolating the U.S. from international collaborative efforts designed to mitigate climate change and its associated impacts.

On the workplace front, Trump has called for all federal employees to return to in-person work, signalling the end of the remote work flexibility that had been widely adopted during the pandemic. This move is coupled with a hiring freeze across federal agencies and a suspension of new federal regulations, indicating a significant shift in governance and federal workforce policy.

The announcements were met with enthusiasm from Trump’s supporters, who gathered at the arena to celebrate his policies. Trump engaged the crowd, tossing commemorative pens into the audience—a gesture that stirred cheers and applause. He further indicated that he would issue additional executive orders from the Oval Office later that evening.

Source: Noah Wire Services