4-H programs still using gender identity housing despite rescinded guidance
The issue of gender identity policies in federally supported youth programs has come to the forefront, despite the fact that the policy these rules are based on has been rescinded by the Trump administration. The Center for Practical Federalism is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to evaluate the gender ideology standards in the 4-H youth programs that are administered by federally funded public universities.
The 4-H programs, which offer a variety of activities for youth across the country, have faced criticism for allowing attendees and adult chaperones to stay in overnight housing based on their self-identified gender rather than their biological sex. This goes against the executive order issued by the Trump administration, which directed agencies to designate intimate spaces based on biological sex, not gender identity.
Despite the rescinding of the gender ideology policy, the Center for Practical Federalism has found that several states still prioritize gender identity over biological sex in their 4-H programs. For example, the Rock Springs Ranch 4-H Camp in Kansas housed a person who identified as female in a cabin with preteen girls without parental consent. Similar policies have been found in California and Oregon as well.
The Center for Practical Federalism is urging the USDA to conduct a review of all federally funded 4-H programs to determine where gender ideology policies are still being enforced. They are also calling for formal standards to prevent subregulatory guidance from circumventing lawful rulemaking.
Parents and policymakers have expressed concerns about the inclusion of gender ideology in youth programs, and the Center for Practical Federalism is advocating for a more transparent and lawful approach to addressing these issues. It is crucial for federal grantees to align their practices with current federal directives and ensure the safety and well-being of all program participants.
