On the first day of his second term the president issued an executive order “defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truth to the federal government.” Under the terms of the order, “It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female.” Each American, the president maintains, has a sex that was determined at the moment of conception.
Many years ago when I was a pediatric resident, a baby was born with what was then called “ambiguous genitalia.” It took about four days for the specialists to state that the child was a girl. What would the president say if he saw that kind of baby? How can he explain that under the terms of his executive order, the federal government’s publications like “Supporting Intersex Students: A Resource for Students, Families, and Educators” shall be “promptly rescinded.”
A friend of mine was born with genitalia that led the doctors and parents to assign male gender. Ever since early childhood, she knew she was a girl. How does the president explain to her that publications like “Back-to-School Message for Transgender Students from the U.S. Depts. of Justice, Education, and HHS” shall similarly be promptly rescinded? Is he aware that his cruel executive order is likely to drive some Americans to suicide and, if so, does he care?
In the famous apocryphal story told by Henry of Huntingdon, King Canute set his throne on the shore and ordered the incoming tide to halt and not wet his feet. When the tide continued as usual and the king’s feet and legs got wet, he leapt backwards and acknowledged “how empty and worthless is the power of kings.”
Like King Canute, Trump can issue any orders he likes and many of his orders might have tragic consequences, but they can’t change reality.
Henry W. Rosenberg, M.D.
Northampton