The latest policy update from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has stirred up quite a bit of conversation.
They’ve announced a shift away from what they describe as “gender ideology,” stating unequivocally that there are only two sexes.
In a recent statement, the department emphasized that it is “restoring the concept of biological truth in federal government.”
This announcement signifies a clear contrast to the previous administration’s approach which included broader definitions of sex.
Going forward, HHS is defining “sex” strictly in biological terms, declaring that an individual is either male or female.
This definition hinges on reproductive capabilities, proposing a “female” as someone whose biological role is to produce eggs, while a “male” is defined by the ability to produce sperm.
Interestingly, the agency has created a dedicated webpage meant to provide guidance around these new definitions, focusing on “efforts to protect women and children.”
Here’s what their site says: “There are only two sexes, female and male, because there are only two types of gametes.”
The page clarifies that a person’s sex is fixed and determined at conception, and this is supposed to be clear before birth.
It even mentions that biological functions can change due to age or medical conditions but doesn’t shift the fundamental classification of sex.
In support of this viewpoint, newly appointed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that the Trump administration is focused on restoring what he describes as “biological truth.”
He stated plainly, “The prior administration’s policy of trying to engineer gender ideology into every aspect of public life is over.”
This policy revision follows Executive Order 14168, which aimed to clarify and solidify definitions surrounding sex.
Interestingly, some advocates within the LGBT community have voiced their concerns about these changes.
Matthew Rose from the Human Rights Campaign labelled the new orders as “deliberately harmful,” especially given the pressing health issues currently facing the nation.
He expressed worries that while federal health employees face layoffs, HHS is diverting attention to what he believes are “anti-science, anti-health PR campaigns.”
The HHS website also addresses controversial topics, arguing that disorders of sexual development do not necessitate a third classification of sex.
They claim these disorders still ultimately produce only the egg or sperm types, adhering firmly to their binary definition.
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