Trump Administration Orders California to Remove Transgender Identity References in Sex Education Program

The Trump administration has mandated that California eliminate references to transgender identity from its Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP). The directive comes with the warning that failure to comply could result in the loss of federal funding for the initiative, which aims to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

What Is the Order?

On Friday, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sent California a letter granting 60 days to amend the content in the PREP. This requirement highlights the administration’s stance against what they describe as “gender ideology,” asserting that federally funded educational programs should be based on "gold-standard, evidence-based science" rather than ideological perspectives.

Key Quotes from ACF

• Andrew Gradison, Acting Assistant Secretary, stated: “The Trump administration will not tolerate the use of federal funds for programs that indoctrinate our children.”
• He further emphasized, “The disturbing gender ideology content in California’s PREP materials is both unacceptable and well outside the program’s core purpose.”

Content Under Scrutiny

The ACF criticized specific lesson examples, which instruct students on the differences between gender identity and biological sex. For instance:

• Learners were informed that there exist individuals who do not identify strictly as boys or girls, but rather as transgender or gender queer. The resources also suggested that a person’s inner feelings about gender might not align with their physical body.

Example Lesson Content

1. Middle School Lesson Excerpt:

   • “As many of you know, there are also people who don’t identify as boys or girls… on the inside, they feel differently.”
2. Gender Identity Definition:
   • “Transgender refers to a person’s gender identity… Often gender identity matches a person’s body… but not always.”

California’s Next Steps

The state is required to:

• Eliminate all gender ideology references from PREP curricula and materials within 60 days.
• Submit the revised educational materials to the federal department for approval.

Implications of the Order

This decision may echo across educational platforms beyond PREP, as California has already faced scrutiny from the administration on several transgender-related policies. The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has initiated an investigation into whether California’s law allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports complies with federal regulations.

A Closer Look at Title IX

• Title IX prohibited discrimination based on sex at educational institutions that receive federal funding.
• California’s legislation permits male-to-female transgender students to participate in women’s sports, putting it under federal review.

Conclusion

The Trump administration’s directive marks a pivotal moment in California’s approach to sexuality education and its broader implications for students’ understanding of gender identity. The enforcement of this order raises significant questions about educational policy and parental rights, with potential nationwide ramifications as states navigate the intersection of education, ideology, and funding.

For more information on California’s approach to sex education, visit the California Department of Education or learn more about the significance of Title IX.