How Trump’s executive order on gender identity could impact the Quad Cities

QUAD CITIES, Iowa/Ill. (KWQC) -Since President Donald Trump signed an executive order that only recognize two sexes, a local reverend said said the LGBTQ+ community has been scared, angry and hopeless.

Rev. Rich Hendricks said he worries about suicide rates.

“We know that whenever the government legislates against a group of people, the rate of suicide among that group of people goes way up,” Hendricks said.

The order outlines a variety of provisions including: preventing male prisoners from being housed in female prisons or detention centers; preventing federal funds from being used for gender-affirming care for prisoners; and preventing federal funds from being used to promote “gender ideology.”

Ed Yohnka, director of communications and public policy for the ACLU of Illinois, said he’s concerned about funding.

“Do they have to make the choice between continuing to follow Illinois law, or alternately...not receiving federal funds,” Yohnka said.

Tim Hagle, a professor of political science at the University of Iowa, said states can usually provide additional rights.

“This could be an area where states continue to say if they so choose that well, despite what the federal government says here, we’re still going to recognize this,” Hagle said.

Other changes include requiring passports and other government IDs to reflect the owner’s sex assigned at birth.