NASW and NASW Virginia and Metro DC chapters strongly oppose an executive order by the Trump Administration that restricts gender-affirming care since it violates the NASW Code of Ethics. Social workers should watch this YouTube video response from the NASW National Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer+ Issues to learn more and get engaged in ways that NASW is resisting: https://youtube.com/shorts/vUeVtqvPwVA?si=0IGC17ERjbqQ1Mfc

The administration also released an executive order that claims transgender military personnel are unfit for duty due to the false assumption they are on heavy medications, have mental health problems, and are not "honorable" or "selfless." https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-signs-executive-order-paving-143644684.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

According to the order, "Beyond the hormonal and surgical medical interventions involved, adoption of a gender identity inconsistent with an individual's sex conflicts with a soldier's commitment to an honorable, truthful and disciplined lifestyle, even in one's personal life. A man's assertion that he is a woman, and his requirement that others honor this falsehood, is not consistent with the humility and selflessness required of a service member."

The order mandates that U.S. Armed Services report back on its implementation plans within 30 days and that they begin updating their policies within 60 days. It also required immediate action in terms of "absent extraordinary operational necessity," military leaders must separate sleeping quarters and bathrooms by male-female sex assigned at birth, rather than by preferred gender identity, regardless of any transition stage. Military personnel also must stop the use of pronouns that align with gender identity.