Statement on President Trump’s Promised Executive Order

Today President Trump announced his intention to roll back protections for transgender Americans through executive order.

Ricardo Martinez, Executive Director of GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), made the following statement:

Today's promised executive order is a direct attack on transgender Americans, deliberately making it harder for people to live their everyday lives. It is cruel, and it is wrong.

The administration is trying to create fear and sow chaos by its statements and orders, but no executive action can change the fundamental truth that transgender people are vital members of our families and communities. Like all people, transgender people deserve dignity, respect, and the freedom to live without fear of government-sanctioned harm.

A president's powers are not unlimited-the Constitution, federal courts, and our democratic system serve as bulwarks against government overreach. Implementing today's order and others that may follow cannot happen overnight.

GLAD Law will use every tool we have to fight for LGBTQ+ people's rights and for fairness and dignity. We will defend the fundamental principle that equal protection under the law is guaranteed - without exception.