Gov. Greg Abbott sent out a letter to state government agencies on Jan. 30 declaring that the state of Texas only recognizes two sexes, male and female, and follows a similar executive order from President Donald Trump on Jan. 20.
Trump’s declaration, which Abbott referenced in his letter, also ordered agencies to disregard “gender ideology,” or “the idea that there is a vast spectrum of genders that are disconnected from one’s sex.” The letter also mentions how, in August 2024, Travis County stopped allowing people to change their sex on Texas-issued driver’s licenses or IDs using either a court order or an amended birth certificate. This came after the Office of the Attorney General raised concerns over the court’s validity.
“The biggest impact that it could have is it could serve as a message stoking hatred and discrimination against gender non-conforming people,” said Lauren Gutterman, an American studies and women’s, gender and sexuality studies professor. “It could also be intended to contribute to a chilling (effect) of teaching about the diversity of sex and gender on college campuses, especially on campuses of public institutions of higher (education) like UT.”
However, the order itself won’t cause any significant policy changes, but is instead a symbolic act, said Johnathan Gooch, communications director for LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Equality Texas.
“Abbott’s letter has no meaningful consequences,” Gooch said in an email statement. “(The Department of Public Safety) already restricted updates on licenses over the summer, and Texas never had an ‘x’ option for gender markers. This letter from Abbott is just a political stunt, a way for Abbott to demonstrate his fealty to the Trump administration. He did little more than say ‘ditto’ in legalese.”
Gutterman said the letter won’t affect University professors’ research and educational processes, and they will continue to be able to teach freely in accordance with the UT System Board of Regents rules.
“What’s really important is that we have to resist (the letter’s message) and continue to teach in the area that we have training and expertise in,” Gutterman said. “LGBTQ+ students, staff and faculty on campus should hold firm in the recognition that you know that this, neither the federal nor state executive order, can erase us.”
