“Woke gender ideology” is a made-up phrase, not a movement—it’s used to stir fear about transgender people.
The phrase has been weaponized to dismiss transgender and non-binary identities.
Science confirms gender diversity as a natural part of human biology and culture.
Anti-trans rhetoric has measurable harm, increasing stigma, mental health risks, and discrimination.
Inclusivity benefits everyone, freeing all genders from restrictive roles.
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In January 2025, President Donald Trump issued a memo titled “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.” This move amplified rhetoric portraying gender diversity as a threat—an argument that’s both flawed and damaging. Let’s unpack why.
What Is “Woke Gender Ideology”?
The phrase “woke gender ideology” has been used as a weapon to dismiss transgender and non-binary identities. The word woke, once about social awareness, has been twisted into an insult. Combined with “gender ideology,” it falsely implies that acknowledging gender diversity is part of a political agenda rather than a recognition of human experience.
This rhetoric isn’t new.
Gender theorist Judith Butler explained that gender isn’t fixed at birth but expressed through behavior and social norms. The binary view of male and female is socially reinforced, not biologically inevitable. Claims that gender diversity undermines women’s rights ignore this complexity—and erase decades of feminist and sociological research.
President Trump’s memo rehashes these traditionalist fears, asserting that affirming diverse gender identities undermines biological truths and women’s rights. However, this framing deliberately obscures the nuanced realities of both gender identity and women’s rights advocacy.
The Science Behind Gender Identity
To counter the claim that transgender identities are a product of “woke ideology,” we must turn to science. Research consistently supports and affirms the validity of transgender identities:
Biological Evidence: Studies in neuroscience, such as the work of Dr. Ivanka Savic at the Karolinska Institute, have shown that brain structures in transgender individuals often align more closely with their experienced gender than their assigned sex at birth (Savic & Arver, 2011).
Historical Context: Diverse understandings of gender predate modern politics. Cultures worldwide have recognized non-binary and transgender identities for centuries. Osh Tisch, a Crow Nation băté, served as a warrior, diplomat, and healer, embodying the sacred role of Two-Spirit individuals in their community. We’wha, a Lhamana (a Zuni term for a mixed-gender role), was a weaver, spiritual leader, and ambassador for the Zuni people, even meeting U.S. President Grover Cleveland in 1886. Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, or Hina Wong-Kalu, is a contemporary Native Hawaiian māhū, a traditional identity that bridges male and female energies, known for her advocacy, storytelling, and cultural preservation. Felina Santiago, a muxé from Oaxaca, Mexico, exemplified the vital role muxé individuals play in Zapotec society, blending tradition and modernity as respected community leaders. These figures remind us that transgender and non-binary identities are not new but deeply rooted in human history and culture.
Medical Consensus: Organizations like the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) recognize that transgender people are a natural variation of human diversity. In 2019, the WHO declassified transgender people as a mental disorder, affirming its stance that gender diversity is not pathological (WHO, 2019).
Harmful Impacts of Anti-Trans Rhetoric
Labeling gender diversity as “woke ideology” has real and devastating consequences. Transgender and non-binary individuals already face disproportionate rates of discrimination, violence, and mental health challenges.
According to The Trevor Project, 52% of transgender and non-binary youth seriously considered suicide in the past year. Affirming environments—such as supportive schools and communities—can reduce suicide risk by up to 50%.
When political leaders dismiss or vilify these identities, they exacerbate stigma and create barriers to essential resources like healthcare and education. Furthermore, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has highlighted that denying affirming care significantly increases the risk of depression, anxiety, and self-harm among transgender youth (AAP, 2018).
Debunking Myths
Myth: Transgender Identities Are a Modern Invention
Fact: Gender diversity has existed across cultures for centuries. Examples include the Mūīhēhūhū of Hawaii, who held sacred roles in traditional Hawaiian society, and the sworn virgins of the Balkans, women who lived as men to fulfill social roles in their communities.
Myth: Supporting Transgender People Harms Women’s Rights
Fact: Gender diversity does not undermine women’s rights; rather, it complements the broader fight for equality by challenging restrictive norms that harm all genders. For instance, feminists like Judith Butler argue that dismantling rigid gender binaries is essential to achieving true gender equity, as these binaries perpetuate patriarchal structures that disadvantage both women and gender-diverse people.
Myth: Gender-Affirming Care Is Irreversible and Experimental
Fact: Many gender-affirming treatments, such as puberty blockers, are reversible and have been used safely for decades. Puberty blockers give transgender youth more time to explore their identities without the permanent physical changes caused by puberty. Long-term studies have shown their safety and efficacy (Hembree et al., 2017).
Why This Matters to Everyone
Attacking gender diversity doesn’t protect anyone—it limits everyone’s freedom. When society enforces rigid gender norms, it creates barriers that limit creativity, potential, and individuality.
Think about this: What happens in a world where boys are discouraged from showing vulnerability or where girls are told their ambitions should stop at the glass ceiling? Enforcing narrow ideas of gender doesn’t just silence transgender and non-binary people—it holds all of us back.
By challenging the false narrative that gender diversity is ideological, we open the door to a future where everyone—cisgender, transgender, and non-binary alike—has the freedom to define who they are. President Trump’s memo and the broader rhetoric around “woke ideology” not only misrepresent the truth but also perpetuate harm. Let’s rely on science, history, and lived experiences to counter these narratives with truth and compassion, building a future where authenticity is celebrated for everyone.
