CDC staff told to remove terms like ‘Non-binary,’ ‘They/Them’ from future research

Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been instructed to eliminate words commonly associated with progressive gender ideology from their research manuscripts before publication. A leaked internal email obtained by the newsletter Inside Medicine revealed a list of terms that must be removed from scientific manuscripts produced by CDC researchers. The terms to be omitted include “gender,” “transgender,” “pregnant person,” “pregnant people,” “LGBT,” “transsexual,” “non-binary,” “assigned male at birth,” “assigned female at birth,” “biologically male,” “biologically female,” and the use of “they/them.”

This directive applies to manuscripts under review as well as those that have been accepted but not yet published, regardless of whether they are intended for internal or external circulation. A CDC spokesperson stated that these changes align with President Trump’s January 20 Executive Orders, which aim to combat what the administration refers to as “gender ideology extremism” and uphold “biological truth” within the federal government.

President Trump’s executive orders have sparked controversy within the LGBTQ+ community and among medical organizations. The administration’s Office of Personnel Management issued a memo instructing federal agencies to terminate programs that promote or reflect gender ideology using taxpayer funds. This move has been met with criticism and legal challenges from advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and medical professionals.

In addition to removing specific terms from research manuscripts, the CDC has taken down web pages related to LGBTQ+ health, such as “Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth | Adolescent and School Health” and “April 18 is National Transgender HIV Testing Day.” This removal of key terms and resources may hinder the ability to accurately capture demographic information and conduct research on LGBTQ+ populations.

The decision to censor language related to gender identity has raised concerns about the inclusivity and accuracy of public health research. Scout, the executive director of the National LGBTQI+ Cancer Network, emphasized the importance of recognizing and acknowledging all individuals within society to promote equality and understanding.

Overall, the CDC’s directive to remove terms associated with progressive gender ideology from research manuscripts reflects a broader political agenda that has significant implications for public health research and LGBTQ+ rights advocacy. It underscores the ongoing debates surrounding gender identity, language use, and government policies in the United States.