Throughout his presidential campaign, Donald Trump consistently emphasized his intention to prohibit transgender women from competing in women’s sports, which would obviously be horrible news for the transgender community. Now, in his first public comments since winning the election, he confirmed that he does indeed plan to move forward with a ban on transgender athletes.
During a speech at Turning Point Action’s America Fest in Phoenix, Arizona, this weekend, Donald Trump announced plans to sign executive orders banning transgender women — whom he referred to as “men” — from participating in women’s sports.
“With the stroke of my pen on day one, we are going to stop the transgender lunacy,” Trump said. “And I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military, and out of our elementary schools and middle schools and high schools — and we will keep men out of women’s sports.”
Trump also declared that the “official policy” of his administration would recognize only two genders: male and female.
“Under the Trump administration, it will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female. It doesn’t sound too complicated, does it?” Trump said.
While the specifics and legality of his plan remain unclear, Trump appears determined to attempt to ban transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
This plan aligns with a promise Trump made during his campaign.
Earlier this year, during an appearance on the right-wing radio show Kahal & Company, Trump vowed to end protections for transgender athletes “on day one” if elected president.
“It’s crazy. It’s crazy. We’re going to end it on day one. Don’t forget, that was done as an order from the president. That came down as an executive order. We’re going to change it on day one. On day one, it’s going to be changed – we’re going to change it. Yes, boys can go into girls’ locker rooms. The whole thing is crazy. Look, it’s like men playing in women’s sports,” Trump said.
“No, we’ll get that changed. Tell your people not to worry about it. It’ll be signed on day one – it’ll be terminated.”
Needless to say, this is pretty horrible news for the transgender community.
