NEA President Becky Pringle: Trump executive order on gender-affirming care is cruel

NEA President Becky Pringle issued the following statement in response to the unprecedented and harmful action by the Trump White House.

“All of our students deserve nothing less than to be their true, authentic selves. By design, Trump’s anti-LGBTQ+ executive order attempts to dehumanize transgender, intersex, and non-binary people. It aims to divide us while endangering the lives of our students and communities. More to the point, by interfering with the medical decisions of parents and doctors, politicians in Washington now are in the driver seat to limit families’ access to the care their children need. It is clear that this administration, through this executive order, believes that some individuals are worth less than others.

“For the families who are seeking gender-affirming care for their children, this isn’t about politics. Yet, politicians behind Project 2025 are pushing the White House to divide our nation and now they are targeting our most vulnerable among us. This is cruel, plain and simple.

“We will not fall for their divide-and-conquer tricks. Together, we will support student learning and development by ensuring that students across our great nation—no matter their race, place of birth or gender identity—are respected and kept safe.”

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org