We’d be naïve to think Trump won’t embolden Australian politics
After Trump’s inauguration this week, our resident sexologist explores how his presidency will affect LGBTQIA+ communities and the ripple effect this could have in emboldening Australian politics.
I woke up furious. It’s a feeling I can’t shake, one that so many others share as we witness the shocking regressions of gender-affirming care and diversity initiatives under Trump’s new presidency. With a single executive order, he has erased decades of progress, signing away protections for marginalised communities in favour of a binary view of gender: male and female.
This isn’t just harmful. It’s dangerous.
Trump’s executive order declaring only two sexes, male and female, and halting all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in federal agencies is more than a bureaucratic decision. It’s a calculated attack on the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly trans and non-binary individuals. These actions reinforce outdated, oppressive norms and actively put lives at risk. They deny people access to essential healthcare, strip them of their rights, and perpetuate a culture of fear and violence.
What’s most insidious about this move is the ripple effect it will have, not just in the United States, but globally.
History has shown us that the cultural and political climate in America often impacts other nations, including Australia. We’d be naïve to think this won’t embolden anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric and policies in our own backyard.
Gender is not politics, it’s identity.
It is the core of who someone is, not a debate to be had by lawmakers. Before I keep going, let’s throw it back to basics: sex refers to biological characteristics, such as chromosomes and reproductive organs people are born with at birth. This is not just confined to male and female too, with over 100 variations and characteristics of Intersex also possible.
You might like
Gender, however, is a social construct. Its roles, norms, and identities are shaped by culture and individual experience. And sexual orientation? That’s who you’re romantically or sexually attracted to. These aren’t abstract concepts either, they’re fundamental truths, and they’ve existed throughout history and across cultures, long before Trump or anyone else tried to erase them.
Consider Australia’s own Indigenous history, where brotherboys and sistergirls have long been respected members of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Or the Hijra in India, a recognised third gender that has held a sacred role in society for over 2000 years. In North America, Two-Spirit people were revered as leaders and healers in many Indigenous cultures. Even in ancient Egypt, the tomb of Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum, two men buried together in an embrace, speaks to the diversity of gender and relationships across time. A world without trans and non-binary people has never existed. It never will.
The Trump administration’s rollback of gender-affirming care and DEI initiatives is not just regressive, it’s deadly.
Studies consistently show that denying access to gender-affirming care significantly increases rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among trans and non-binary individuals. According to research by The Trevor Project, more than half of transgender and non-binary youth in the U.S. seriously considered suicide in 2022, with lack of access to affirming care cited as a key factor. The statistics are sobering, but they’re not just numbers. They’re lives. Lives that could be saved with supportive legislation and access to healthcare.
From banning the use of “X” as a gender marker on passports to halting DEI programs, Trump’s administration is sending a clear message that trans and non-binary people don’t belong.
This isn’t just about America. Australia is not immune to this rhetoric. We’ve already seen conservative movements here attempt to roll back rights and push harmful ideologies. The echoes of Trump’s actions are louder than we’d like to admit. In the face of this devastating regression, it’s easy to feel helpless.
But as Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, so poignantly said in a statement responding to Trump’s executive actions: “We refuse to back down or be intimidated. We are not going anywhere, and we will fight back against these harmful provisions with everything we’ve got.”
In Australia, current laws and guidelines aim to support the recognition of diverse gender identities, though progress remains uneven.
Subscribe for updates
The Australian Government Guidelines on the Recognition of Sex and Gender allow individuals to update their gender markers on official documents, including passports, to reflect their affirmed gender. Importantly, individuals are not required to have undergone surgery or hormonal treatments to make these changes. These guidelines acknowledge a range of identities beyond “male” and “female,” including non-binary, and aim to create consistency across government records.
However, the laws differ across states and territories, with some requiring more stringent processes than others. For instance, some states still require medical evidence or intervention to change gender on a birth certificate, while others have modernised their processes to be more inclusive. While these laws represent progress, the fight for nationwide consistency and better protection for gender-diverse individuals continues. This makes it even more critical to stay informed about potential political changes that could threaten or advance these rights.
Gender recognition laws by state
- ACT, Tasmania, Victoria, and Queensland: Self-identification is allowed without requiring surgery. Tasmania even allows no gender marker on birth certificates.
- NSW and WA: Recent reforms now permit changes without surgery, with self-identification becoming the standard.
- SA and NT: Surgery isn’t required, but evidence of “appropriate clinical treatment” may be needed.
- National Progress: Most jurisdictions recognise non-binary identities and have anti-discrimination protections, though processes and requirements remain inconsistent.
These reforms reflect progress, but a nationwide standard is still needed to ensure equality for all.
So, where do we go from here?
How do we find safe spaces in such turbulent waters? Start with community. Surround yourself with people who affirm and celebrate you. Seek out LGBTQIA+ organisations, support groups, or even online communities where you can find connection and solidarity.
Educate yourself and others. Read up on the history of gender diversity and the importance of affirming care. Knowledge is power, and understanding the issues at stake is crucial in fighting back against misinformation.
Finally, use your voice. Whether it’s voting, protesting, or simply having conversations with those around you, every action counts. Change starts with collective effort, and you are part of that effort. If you are queer, I stand with you. If you are hetero or cis, be an ally.
Trump’s policies? Sure, they’re harmful, but they can’t rewrite the truth. Gender isn’t some political bargaining chip, it’s humanity, identity, and lived experience. It’s who people are at their core. For us here in Australia, it’s a reminder to stay vigilant. We’re not immune to the ripple effects of American politics, and we’ve already seen attempts to undermine progress in our own backyard, whether it’s through attacks on abortion rights or quiet pushes to limit LGBTQIA+ protections.
This is why it’s crucial to stay informed about who we’re putting into positions of power. Elections matter, and so do the people we choose to represent us.
If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to these organisations for support:
- 1800 Respect (tel:1800 737 732)
- Kids Helpline (tel:1800 55 1800)
- Lifeline (tel:13 11 14)
- Rainbow Sexual and Domestic Violence Helpline (tel:1800 497 212)
- QLife (tel:1800 184 527)
Jamie Bucirde has a postgraduate degree in sexology from Curtin University. Her advice is of a general nature and should be taken in the spirit of the column.
On The Cusp is supported by Adult Bliss Erotica, find out more about their range to support your sexual health and wellness via their website. Read the entire back catalogue of On the Cusp here.