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The military services have 30 days to figure out how they will seek out and identify transgender service members to remove them from the force. The order expands on the executive order signed by President Donald Trump during his early days in office setting out steps toward banning transgender individuals from serving in the military. It is an addition to a series of new executive actions aimed at the nation's 1.6 million transgender people. An executive order to keep men out of women’s sports was also passed in February.  Ethnic Media Services hosted a discussion on the President's executive orders that essentially erases transgender people's existence in sports, legal matters, healthcare, and in education.

In a roundtable discussion, Ethnic Media Services  speakers discussed the policy implications of Trump's executive order, the impact on their lives and attempts to push back.

President Donald Trump in his inauguration address had stated “As of today, it will be the policy of the United States. There are only two sexes. Male and female stated”. Later that day, he had signed an executive order recognizing only biological men and women which, he claimed, would defend women and ensure their safety. 

The Williams Institute estimated that there are about 1.6 million people aged 13 and older who are identified as transgender. There are also 1.2 million adults who identify as non-binary and 5 million intersex people.  A lot of these orders are relevant to them as well. 

Rhetoric has strong implications for violence 

For the transgender and non-binary people the orders are quite brutal. Anti-trans rhetoric can lead to increased violence against LGBT people in general and trans people in particular. This will place them in situations where that danger will be heightened. 

The transgender prisoners will be banned from being in prisons aligned with their gender as would people who seek homeless shelters and other types of services from the federal government. There's also been a ban on gender affirming care that would affect minors. 

Researchers found that following President Trump’s 2016 campaign rallies they found an increase in violence in areas where the rallies happened. The month after the 2016 presidential election, transgender and gender non-conforming people reported experiencing hate speech and violence.

“Our analysis showed that about five times the rate of violence against transgender people is about five times that of the rate of violence against cisgender heterosexual people and more so against Black and Hispanic LGBT people in general,” said Dr. Meyer. He pointed to research that showed a marked increase in hate crimes in cities that hosted Trump rallies in 2016. Dr. Ilan H. Meyer is a Williams Distinguished Senior Scholar of Public Policy at the Williams Institute. He was previously a Professor Emeritus of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia University.

Violence against LGBT people includes  more use of weapons, more serious violence, and also more hate crimes.

Health impact of transgender discrimination 

Dr. Meyer warned about the health impacts of transgender discrimination something he calls minority stress. 

“This is the process that connects the social environment that is characterized by prejudice and stigma and hate and violence with health. Some examples of that include the transgender people are more likely to have been bullied as children.”

They're more likely to experience adverse childhood experiences. Such as sexual abuse Conversion therapy and everyday discrimination, which is being treated without dignity being mistreated in daily interactions.

“All of this has shown great impact on health, including serious psychological distress suicide ideation, suicide attempts, and non-suicidal self injury,” said Dr Meyers. 

Progress made is going to be curtailed

California passed SB 132 which required California Department of Correction.Senate Bill 132, The Transgender Respect, Agency and Dignity Act, became effective on Jan. 1, 2021. It allows incarcerated transgender, non-binary and intersex people to request to be housed and searched in a manner consistent with their gender identity.

The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth was established to advocate for the rights and needs of LGBTQ youth in the Commonwealth. 

“I think this executive order is and this administration is going to have a very serious impact limiting any progress. And I can't even say there has been a lot of progress but we are going to lose what progress has been made.”

Trump's order impacted the US military. 

Transgender troops are now being identified for removal under Pentagon orders

A senior defense official said Thursday they believe there are about 4,200 troops diagnosed with gender dysphoria currently serving in the active duty, National Guard and Reserves. A memo sent to Defense Department leaders on Thursday orders the services to set up procedures to identify troops diagnosed with or being treated for gender dysphoria by March 26. They will then have 30 days to begin removing those troops from service.

“Being transgender is not a mental disorder as was recently expressed by those who oppose transgender people in the military.” Existing military personnel who are transgender are serving with dignity and respect and their service is extremely valued, said Dr Meyer. 

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes will rule on whether to temporarily block the Trump administration from enforcing the order, which plaintiffs’ attorneys have said illegally discriminates against transgender troops.

“If you were in a foxhole, would you care about these individuals’ gender identity?” Judge Reyes asked a government attorney, who answered that it “would not be a primary concern of mine.”