Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Expansive Student Resources and FAQs
The UO will continue to monitor any updates pertaining to trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive students and communicate their potential impact in a timely fashion.
The information on this webpage is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.
This webpage contains information valid as of March 31, 2025.
Executive Order Updates | Frequently Asked Questions | Graduate Student Research Support | Resources for Support
Executive Order Updates
Executive Order: Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government
The United States federal administration issued an Executive Order on January 20, 2025, that directs federal agencies and departments to curtail recognition for transgender people. The Executive Order defines the term “sex” as solely an immutable male/female binary and explicitly rejects gender ideology.
It instructs federal agencies and departments to replace the term “gender” with “sex” in all policies and official documents. Furthermore, it directs agencies to withdraw funding for gender-affirming care and also narrow Title VII employment law protections for LGBTQI+ individuals.
In addition, government documents issued by federal entities (such as passports, visas, and social security cards) must reflect the holder’s biological sex at birth. This reverses the Biden administration’s policy that permitted passport applicants to use “X,” along with the option for male or female, as a gender marker.
The State Department has clarified that all current passports, including those with an “X” marker will be honored until time for renewal. The ACLU is suing the Trump administration over the gender marker passport policy, and the organization is seeking a preliminary injunction. Advocates for Trans Equality issued an FAQ regarding the changes to passports.
We will continue to monitor the potential federal actions (and legal challenges) resulting from this Executive Order and will provide timely updates on this site.
Executive Order: Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation
The United States federal administration issued an Executive Order on January 28, 2025, that instructs federal agencies and programs to significantly limit youth and teen access to gender-affirming care. It further instructs Health and Human Services (HHS) and federal agencies to take steps to prohibit those receiving certain federal grants (including hospitals and medicals) from providing gender-affirming care to those under 19 years of age.
As of now, this order does not imminently change Oregon’s policies and regulations that provide access to gender-affirming care, However, if implemented broadly, restrictions across policies and programs such as Medicare/Medicaid could significantly limit access to gender-affirming care for many young people, including for those with both private and public insurance. It would also likely lead to a reinterpretation of the major sex nondiscrimination protections in the Affordable Care Act to remove explicit named protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in health programs receiving federal funding.
Executive Order: Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports
The United States federal administration issued an Executive Order on February 5, 2025, that seeks to prohibit transgender girls and women from participating in female sports across all educational levels. It also instructs federal agencies to initiate enforcement actions under Title IX and revoke federal funding from any educational institution that allows transgender girls and women to participate in female sports.
Under this order, the federal government has instructed its consular officials across the world to deny visa applications made by transgender athletes seeking to enter the United States. This policy has significant global implications as Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympics. There is concern that this policy will extend to ALL transgender visa applicants (and not just athletes). The Executive Order references the Immigration and Nationality Act which aims to prevent any attempts to procure a visa by “fraud or willfully misrepresenting a material fact.” As a result, this Executive Order opens the door on lifelong bans on visa applicants who are deemed to have “misrepresented” their sex in their applications.
Executive Order: Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness
The United States federal administration issued an Executive Order on January 27, 2025, that bars transgender people from enlisting and serving openly in the military.
The order mandates that the Department of Defense update its military medical standards within 60 days and end the practice of accommodating pronoun usage based on self-identification rather than assigned sex. The executive order further prohibits people assigned male at birth from using women’s sleeping, changing and bathing facilities.
It is unclear what will happen to current transgender service members, especially those who are receiving transition related care through TriCare, the military’s health care program. In addition, this Executive Order is facing legal challenges filed by current active-duty transgender service members. We will continue to monitor the potential federal actions (and legal challenges) resulting from this Executive Order and will provide timely updates on this site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gender-Affirming Care
Q: Has University Health Services (UHS) changed or stopped providing gender-affirming care based on executive orders?
A: No. UHS continues to provide gender-affirming care to students. UHS will alert students who are under 19 years of age with federally funded health insurance, such as TriCare, that their insurance may not cover gender-affirming services. Students are invited to work with the UHS insurance team for resources and to continue to receive care from UHS providers.
Q: What gender-affirming care is available on campus?
A: University Health Services (UHS) provides access to comprehensive gender-affirming hormone therapy in alignment with the most up-to-date clinical care guidelines of the WPATH Standards of Care for students age 18 and up. For students seeking gender-affirming hormone therapy under age 18, UHS can provide information and a referral to OHSU. UHS providers also initiate referrals and, if needed, provide letters of support for gender-affirming surgeries and procedures. All gender-affirming care within UHS is provided via an informed consent model, meaning that decisions about what each student needs are left to the student and their provider to discern via shared decision-making.
Q: What if my insurance no longer covers gender-affirming care?
A: UHS will work with students to determine if their insurance covers gender-affirming care. At this time, Oregon Health Plan (OHP) continues to provide coverage for gender-affirming care per state law. UHS has staff designated to assist with identifying options covered by insurance and/or to assist eligible students with enrolling in OHP.
State and University Protections
Q: Are there any state-level protections for trans, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people in Oregon?
A: In 2007, Oregon passed and adopted the Oregon Equality Act which is a comprehensive non-discrimination and protection law for LGBTQ+ people in our state – this includes protections against discrimination, employment, housing, public accommodations, foster parenting, and public schools. Most recently, in 2023, House Bill 2002 was passed which requires Oregon commercial insurance plans, Medicaid, and public employee health plans to cover medically necessary gender-affirming care services and established a broad right of individuals to make decisions about their reproductive health, including use of contraception and abortion. Learn more about House Bill 2002.
Q: Does the University of Oregon have any gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation protections given the reversion to the 2020 Title IX guidance?
A: Yes, the University of Oregon nondiscrimination policy recognizes sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as protected characteristics. This policy is upheld and enforced by the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance. If a student or employee experience discrimination or harassment on the basis of their real or perceived protected characteristic(s), they can file a complaint or report with the university via this reporting form, https://investigations.uoregon.edu/reporting.
State and Federal Identity Documents
Q: Can I still change my name and/or gender marker in Oregon and with the University of Oregon?
A: Yes, the state of Oregon is currently still processing name and gender marker changes via in-person and online processes. ASUO Student Legal Services is available to provide support to UO students via appointments. TransPonder, a local nonprofit, also has a Legal ID Change Program to provide financial assistance and support to Oregonians. To remain apprised of Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles permissions to update your gender marker, please visit the DMV website.
Q: What are current policies regarding visa and passport applications for trans people?
A: The Department of State is no longer issuing “X” gender markers or otherwise permitting gender-marker changes on passports or consular reports of birth abroad nor is the Social Security Administration. This has, for some, included the renewal process, specifically for passports, despite having a prior passport accurately reflect one’s gender. Unexpired passports, with or without your name of use and/or accurate gender-marker, remain valid. This includes currently valid passports with updated gender markers, including “X” gender markers. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has removed “another gender identity” option from key immigration forms, including the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status and Biographic Information for Deferred Action, amongst others. GLAD Law, as well as numerous legal support organizations listed below, maintain updated considerations and guidance regarding federal identity documents.
Graduate Student Research Support
Q: I have received a stop work notice or notice regarding disruptions or discontinuation of funding for a grant, fellowship, scholarship, or award due to federal requirements and/or concerns about diversity. How can I proceed?
A: Forward the communication to the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) (vpri@uoregon.edu), the Office of General Counsel (gcounsel@uoregon.edu), and the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies (vpgradstudies@uoregon.edu); await guidance from these offices on how to proceed.
Q: I have received a request from a grant or funding agency asking me to certify that my research or scholarship is compliant with executive orders. Examples of this include references to “DEI or DEIA performance requirements” or “compliance with EO141151 Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.” Who can I contact?
A: Forward the communication to the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) (vpri@uoregon.edu) and the Office of General Counsel (gcounsel@uoregon.edu); await guidance from these offices on how to proceed.
Q: I have concerns about or am feeling pressured to make semantic concessions or changes to terms in my research, publications, or funding applications. Where can I find support?
A: You are not alone. Please connect with your advisor, dissertation committee, or a faculty mentor before making any changes. Consultations with librarians via chat, email, or appointment are also recommended.