The Catholic perspective holds that biological sex is not just a physical reality and a fact but is also intertwined with a deeper sense of vocation and identity. Catholics are called to approach every person with compassion, empathy, and a deep respect for their inherent dignity. At the same time, we cannot cast aside truth for kindness.
Originally Published by Emily Dowdell, PsyD
In recent years, gender ideology has increasingly permeated social, educational, and governmental structures. This ideology often asserts that gender is not rooted in biological sex but is a fluid, subjective experience that can change based on personal identity. While such views are deeply held by some and certainly reflect a desire for greater individual freedom, they pose serious concerns for understanding what it means to be human. President Trump began his presidency with an executive order aimed at defending women from the ideological forces that threaten their dignity and re-establishing biological truth within the federal government.
The Executive Order:
- Affirms the government’s stance that sex is binary, clearly defining male and female.
- Mandates the removal of policies, communications, and forms that promote gender ideology.
- Requires federal agencies to cease using gender identity in place of biological sex when enforcing laws against sex-based discrimination.
- Defines “woman” as “adult human female.”
- Directs that all government identification and records, including passports, must reflect biological sex rather than self-declared gender identity.
- Prohibits housing male prisoners in women’s facilities and halts taxpayer funding for gender transition procedures for prisoners.
- Safeguards First Amendment and statutory rights by ending the compelled use of “preferred pronouns” and supports Americans’ right to acknowledge the binary nature of sex in workplaces and federally funded institutions.
Trump in the executive order asserts that it not only erodes women’s protections but it also degrades our ability to trust entire systems, including the government, when we deny reality. “Efforts to eradicate the biological reality of sex fundamentally attack women by depriving them of their dignity, safety, and well-being. The erasure of sex in language and policy has a corrosive impact not just on women but on the validity of the entire American system. Basing Federal policy on truth is critical to scientific inquiry, public safety, morale, and trust in government itself.” The Catholic perspective holds that biological sex is not just a physical reality and a fact but is also intertwined with a deeper sense of vocation and identity. Catholics are called to approach every person with compassion, empathy, and a deep respect for their inherent dignity. At the same time, we cannot cast aside truth for kindness. We must approach the complexity that is sexual development – both psychological and physical – with compassion while holding truth. Some have difficulty existing in this tension, as they can seem to be opposing forces. They might sacrifice compassion for truth or truth for compassion. However, neither position honors the dignity of the person. Only in the tension can you approach the full reality, complexity, and splendor of the person in front of you.
The Problem of Gender Ideology & the Concept of Woman
The rise of gender ideology has, in some ways, obscured these fundamental truths. Catholic teaching emphasizes the inherent worth and dignity of every person, made in the image and likeness of God. Gender ideology blurs the lines between biological sex and gender identity and further impairs our ability to recognize the uniqueness of men and women as a society. By advocating for the fluidity of gender, gender ideology risks eroding the understanding of women as bearers of life (and not just in the literal sense) and builders of the next generation. It undermines the importance of women’s health, biological needs, and societal contributions, which are intimately connected to their unique ability to tune into relationships, support other people, potentially bear children, and nurture families. A shift toward recognizing women solely as individuals defined by choice or preference — rather than by biological reality — risks diminishing these irreplaceable qualities. If a man can simply say that he is a woman and be recognized as a woman by his word, then what does it mean to be a woman? Is it a matter of self-description, self-presentation, performance, mannerisms, clothing? Are women reducible to these things? Is womanhood a costume or a role to try on? Judith Butler would argue that sexuality as it is socially expressed is mere performance and relishes in being freed from the oppression of socially constructed expectations.
As a woman who bucks trends, enjoys work, and is not the most stereotypically feminine of women I take issue with reducing women to trends, social expressions, mannerisms, or social roles. There is a part of me that identifies with some of these feminist ideas when applied to stereotypes, because I believe stereotypes are harmful when applied rigidly. I like wearing flannel, rarely wear make-up, and enjoy being in the workforce. Should I be a trans-man if my preferences align with a stereotypical male? I have had mixed feelings about my womanhood, complicated by my upbringing, and had a I grown up in an environment where being trans were an option, maybe I would be! And so would a lot of other tomboys from the 80s and 90s – you know those girls who prefer climbing trees, who don’t like tea parties, or playing dress up. I was one of the weird girls who did not fit in with my peer-group. I hung out with the fledgling LGB crowd in high school. They were more accepting of my weirdness than the popular girls who bullied me for being off the beaten path. Yet none of that had anything to do with my sexual activity. Sexual identity development is complicated and involves a lot of different threads bundled together that form a unique person. We cannot broadly apply stereotypes and think we have a person pegged! People who adhere strictly to stereotypes on either side of the aisle are doing the same harm – ignoring the idiosyncrasies of the person in favor of categories.
This quote from Mulieris Dignitatem speaks to the core of what has been happening with women in our culture.
“Even the rightful opposition of women to what is expressed in the biblical words “He shall rule over you” (Gen 3:16) must not under any condition lead to the “masculinization” of women. In the name of liberation from male “domination”, women must not appropriate to themselves male characteristics contrary to their own feminine “originality”. There is a well-founded fear that if they take this path, women will not “reach fulfilment”, but instead will deform and lose what constitutes their essential richness. It is indeed an enormous richness.”
Women are tired of being objectified, viewed through a prism of socially constructed expectations, and reduced to appearance. The feminist movement that pushed for equality of the sexes has eradicated what makes us unique. Women’s bodies still bear the brunt of reproductive harm, even when they try to use birth control or means of “reproductive health” to even the playing field. (More on that, read Erika Bachiochi’s article on Sexual Assymetry) The only logical next move in this progression is to abandon womanhood all together – and believe me, there are some really compelling, tempting reasons to consider that option! The non-binary/trans movement makes sense in this light. Yet it abandons something beautiful and an essential richness is lost. Being a woman is more than how a person dresses or acts, so much more.
President Trump’s executive order aims to reaffirm the biological truth of male and female as distinct and complementary realities. It seeks to protect the dignity of women, ensuring that policies, educational frameworks, and legal protections recognize the reality of biological sex and the specific needs of women. The order challenges the growing extremism of gender ideology, which can lead to the erasure of women’s unique status in society. As we defend the truth of biological sex and advocate for the dignity of men and women, we must be careful not to diminish the humanity of those who experience gender dysphoria or who do not fit neatly into binary understandings of sex and gender.
Respect for Those with Complex Sexual Development
As Catholics, we are also called to respond to the complexities of human life with compassion and understanding. We must recognize that not all individuals experience sexual development in a way that fits neatly into the categories of male or female. For those with intersex conditions or other complex sexual developments, the Church advocates for respectful care and support. The dignity of these individuals must be safeguarded with tenderness, sensitivity, and concern for their physical and emotional well-being.
In approaching this issue, we are reminded of Christ’s own compassion for those who were marginalized or suffering. Just as Christ showed deep care for the sick, the outcasts, and those society rejected, we are called to extend that same compassion to those with complex sexual development. This doesn’t mean that we should abandon the truth of biological sex, but it does mean that we should respond to those who experience gender dysphoria or other conditions with sensitivity and respect!!
Balancing Truth and Compassion
As Catholics, we can and must affirm the truth of biological sex as an essential aspect of our identity while also responding to the needs of those whose experiences challenge traditional categories. The executive order’s goal is to defend the dignity of women by restoring biological truth, but it also provides an opportunity for us to consider how we can continue to show respect and compassion to those who struggle with their sexuality and how to express it comfortably.
In this pursuit, we must remember that the Church calls us to love all people, including those who may experience confusion or pain related to their sexual identity. While we seek to protect women from the extremes of gender ideology, we must not lose sight of the Gospel command to love our neighbors, to be merciful, and to act with charity. As Pope Francis reminds us, “Mercy is the first form of justice.”
Conclusion
The executive order defending women from gender ideology extremism and restoring biological truth is a necessary step in protecting the dignity of women in a rapidly changing world. As Catholics, we stand firmly in the belief that women are made in the image of God, with a unique and irreplaceable role in society. Yet, we must also recognize that our call to defend truth must be balanced with compassion for those whose experiences of sexuality are more complex.
Let us work toward a society where men and women are respected and honored for who they are, where their voices and experiences are heard, and where every person, regardless of their sexual development, is treated with the dignity and compassion they deserve as beloved children of God. May we always approach these challenges with humility, kindness, and a deep sense of our shared humanity.
