If you spent any time on social media or in certain activist circles lately, you’ve probably seen some pretty wild headlines. One that keeps popping up is the idea that Donald Trump got rid of bisexuals. It sounds like a plot from a sci-fi movie, right? But in the messy world of federal policy and digital archives, the reality is a lot more nuanced—and honestly, a bit weirder—than a simple "delete" button.
We're talking about a mix of website edits, executive orders, and a literal battle over the word "bisexual" at one of the most famous historical sites in the country. It’s not just about one person being "removed." It’s about how a government decides who is visible and who isn't.
The Stonewall Website Incident
Let's look at the spark that really lit this fire. In early 2025, eagle-eyed observers noticed something missing from the National Park Service (NPS) website for the Stonewall National Monument. For those who aren't history buffs, Stonewall is basically the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Originally, the site mentioned "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. Then, suddenly, the word "bisexual" vanished from several sections. It was replaced with just "lesbian and gay."
Independent journalist Erin Reed documented these edits, calling it a clear case of "bi-erasure." People were understandably ticked off. How do you talk about Stonewall without mentioning the bisexual activists who were literally there on the front lines? After a massive public outcry and reporting from outlets like QnotesCarolinas, the NPS eventually caved and put the word back. They called it a mistake, but the timing felt a bit too convenient for many.
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Rescinding the Protections
Beyond just words on a screen, the Trump administration’s second term kicked off with a flurry of executive actions. On day one, the President rescinded Executive Order 14075, which was a Biden-era directive aimed at "Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Individuals."
When you "get rid" of an order like that, you’re basically pulling the rug out from under various federal programs. This included:
- LGBTQ+ health equity initiatives.
- Data collection on sexual orientation.
- Nondiscrimination protections in schools and healthcare.
Technically, Trump didn't "get rid of bisexuals" as people. That’s impossible. But by rescinding orders that explicitly named them, the administration shifted the focus toward a binary definition of sex and gender.
The "Binary Sex" Executive Order
The most significant policy shift came with an order titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." This one is a mouthful. Basically, it mandates that federal agencies only recognize two sexes: male and female.
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While this order mostly targets transgender and non-binary individuals, it has a weird side effect for bisexual people. By defining everything through a strictly binary lens, the nuanced reality of being attracted to more than one gender gets pushed to the sidelines. It's what activists call "systemic invisibility." If the government refuses to collect data on you or mention your specific identity in health reports, you effectively "disappear" from the federal record.
Why "Erasure" is a Big Deal
You might think, "Who cares about a word on a website?"
Well, it matters a lot for things like healthcare. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) points out that when the government stops tracking health data for specific groups—like bisexual women, who statistically face higher rates of certain health issues—it becomes way harder to fund programs that actually help them.
"The erasure of bisexual people from federal websites is not just a digital oversight — it's a deliberate act of invisibility," says Kelly Wright, a prominent LGBTQ+ advocate.
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It's about the "divide and conquer" strategy. By focusing heavily on anti-trans rhetoric, the administration creates a climate where the broader LGBTQ+ spectrum feels less secure. Some gay and lesbian conservatives, like those in the Log Cabin Republicans, argue that these moves are just a return to "common sense." But for those who identify as bisexual, being lumped into a generic category—or omitted entirely—feels like a step backward into the closet.
Is it Legal?
Here’s where it gets complicated. The Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) that you can't fire someone for being gay or transgender. Justice Neil Gorsuch, a Trump appointee, actually wrote that opinion. He argued that discrimination based on sexual orientation is, at its core, discrimination based on "sex."
The current administration is trying to narrow that definition. They’re basically saying, "Sure, you can't fire them, but we don't have to fund their specific programs or use their preferred terms on our websites." This has led to a massive wave of lawsuits from groups like the ACLU and GLAAD.
The courts are currently a mess of temporary restraining orders and injunctions. One week a website is restored; the next, a health program loses its funding. It’s a legal tug-of-war that isn't ending anytime soon.
Actionable Insights for Navigating Bi-Erasure
If you’re feeling a bit lost in all this political noise, here are a few ways to stay informed and protect your visibility:
- Check the Sources: Don't just trust a tweet. Look at actual federal registers or reports from non-partisan groups like KFF or the Human Rights Campaign to see what policies have actually changed.
- Support Local Archives: Since federal websites can be edited on a whim, support local LGBTQ+ history projects and archives. They are the keepers of the "real" history that doesn't get scrubbed when a new administration takes office.
- Participate in Data Collection: If you get a survey from a health provider or a private research group, and it asks for your orientation, answer it. Private data is becoming more important as federal data becomes less reliable.
- Know Your Rights: Remember that Bostock is still the law of the land. Federal executive orders cannot override Supreme Court rulings on workplace discrimination. If you feel you've been targeted, document everything and consult a legal aid group.
- Stay Engaged with Advocacy: Visibility is a choice. Supporting organizations that fought to restore the word "bisexual" to the Stonewall website is a direct way to combat erasure.
The idea that Donald Trump got rid of bisexuals is a hyperbolic way of describing a very real policy shift toward invisibility. It’s not a magic trick; it’s a series of deliberate bureaucratic choices. Staying visible means staying informed and making sure those "deleted" words are put back where they belong.