The Trump administration is urging numerous states and territories to consider removing gender ideology from sex education programs, warning of potential loss of federal funding.
The Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced on Tuesday that 46 states, along with a U.S. territory and Washington, DC, were “notified” to eliminate all “references to gender ideology” from the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) within 60 days. This student program is focused on reducing teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
“We’re holding people accountable,” Deputy Director Andrew Graujuan stated. “Federal funds will not be used to influence the younger generation with harmful ideologies. The Trump administration is committed to ensuring that PREP aligns with Congressional intent rather than leftist agendas.”
As a result, states and regions could potentially face a loss of over $81 million in federal grant funding, according to ACF. The department indicated that failure to comply could lead to the withholding, suspension, or termination of federal funds.
“This approach underscores the Trump administration’s ongoing dedication to protecting children from indoctrination with misguided ideologies,” stated HHS in a news release.
This announcement follows the recent termination of California’s preparatory grant for its refusal to eliminate gender ideology from its programs.
Recently, HHS criticized California for “renaming” its program, claiming taxpayer money was being used to “encourage children to consider drastic measures regarding their bodies” and to promote a curriculum suggesting changes through hormone therapy.
In defense, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) asserted that its program was “medically accurate, comprehensive, and age-appropriate,” as reported by Hill here.
President Donald Trump has taken multiple executive actions against what he views as an excessive focus on gender ideology under the Biden administration. On the first day of his presidency, he signed an order emphasizing that the United States recognizes only two genders: male and female.
“These genders remain unchanged, rooted in fundamental and undeniable truth,” he noted in his statement. I’ll elaborate.
