Trump admin cuts California sex education program over gender content

The Trump administration has taken a strong stance against California’s sex education program, leading to the termination of federal grant funding for the state’s Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP). This decision comes after California reportedly refused to remove what the administration called “radical gender ideology” from its curriculum.

The Administration for Children and Families, an office within the Department of Health and Human Services, announced on Thursday that it was cutting off funding to California’s PREP program. This program is designed to educate young people in California about preventing teen pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

Acting assistant secretary Andrew Gradison stated that California’s refusal to comply with federal law and remove what he called “egregious gender ideology” from the sex education materials was unacceptable. He emphasized that the Trump administration will not allow taxpayer dollars to be used to indoctrinate children with what it deems delusional gender ideology.

The PREP program in California serves youth aged 10-19 and aims to provide education on sexual health in various settings, including schools, juvenile justice facilities, and foster care group homes. The program specifically targets vulnerable populations such as homeless youth, LGBTQ individuals, and those in the juvenile justice system.

The Trump administration had been scrutinizing California’s sex education program since March, requesting copies of the curriculum for review. The administration found that the program contained references to gender ideology that it deemed outside the program’s authorizing statute. After issuing a 60-day deadline for the removal of such references, the administration ultimately terminated the funding when California refused to comply.

California defended its curriculum, stating that the materials had already been approved by the Administration for Children and Families and were medically accurate. The state argued that the gender ideology content was relevant to the program’s goals and that the administration did not have the authority to enforce such changes.

Despite California’s objections, the Trump administration followed through with its decision to cut off funding for the PREP program. This move could lead to the loss of $12.3 million in funding for the state over multiple years. The administration’s actions highlight the ongoing debate over sex education and gender ideology in schools, with both sides standing firm in their positions. In a society where gender norms and expectations have long been ingrained, it is important to recognize and respect the diversity of gender identities. Many individuals do not fit neatly into the traditional categories of male or female, and may identify as transgender or nonbinary.

This means that even if they were assigned a specific gender at birth based on their physical characteristics, on the inside, they may feel differently. It is crucial to understand that gender identity is not solely determined by one’s anatomy, but rather by how they feel and identify themselves.

Recently, California’s PREP program came under fire for its inclusion of lessons aimed at introducing middle and high school students to the concepts of transgenderism and nonbinary identities. Some of the flagged materials included instructions on potentially controversial topics such as hormone therapy, gender reassignment surgery, and changing one’s name.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) expressed concern over the potential impact of these teachings, stating that they could encourage young individuals to make drastic decisions about their bodies without fully understanding the consequences. Additionally, there were concerns raised about the language used in the curriculum, specifically regarding the definition of gender identity as a social status.

The Administration for Children and Families also highlighted issues with the teacher training materials, specifically around the importance of avoiding misgendering individuals. Educators were instructed to refer to individuals who identify with their assigned sex at birth as “cisgender,” while those who do not identify as such may use labels like “non-binary” or “genderqueer.”

In response to these concerns, the ACF has given California health leaders a deadline to overhaul the federally-funded sex education program. If changes are not made within the specified timeframe, the grant will be terminated. This decision is final unless an appeal is filed within 30 days.

It is essential to create a safe and inclusive environment for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity. By promoting education and understanding around diverse gender identities, we can work towards a more accepting and supportive society for everyone.