The Trump administration has ordered almost every US state to remove sex education materials referencing transgender and non-binary people, warning that failure to comply will result in significant funding cuts.
On Tuesday (26 August), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed that schools in at least 46 states and US territories risk losing over $81 million in federal funding from the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) if they don’t eliminate the materials by 27 October.
HHS says “gender ideology” not permitted under PREP
According to a letter sent to education officials in Alabama, schools must strip modules, books, and teaching resources referencing gender identity.
The HHS letter argued that discussing gender identity is neither “allowable, reasonable, or allocable” under PREP funding criteria.
“The statute neither requires, supports, nor authorises teaching students that gender identity is distinct from biological sex… thus, gender ideology is outside the scope of the authorising statute.”
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the order reflects President Trump’s “ongoing commitment to protecting children from attempts to indoctrinate them with delusional ideology.”
LGBTQ+ advocates slam “erasure”
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) condemned the directive, saying it continues Trump’s “all-out fight to erase government recognition of transgender people.”
“Sexual education programs, at their best, are fact-based and informative at a time when young people need this information to stay healthy,” said HRC spokesperson Laurel Powell.
“When they do not acknowledge the existence of trans people, they fail. Cutting this funding denies young people the knowledge they need to make safe, informed choices.”
Trump doubles down on executive power
Just hours after the order, Trump said he could do “anything I want to do” as president, claiming he has the authority to deploy the National Guard to states even against governors’ wishes.
The move is the latest in a string of escalations targeting trans rights. Only last week, Trump threatened to withhold funding from California schools unless they banned trans girls from female sports. That standoff followed national right-wing outrage over AB Hernandez, a 16-year-old trans athlete, qualifying for the state track championships.
Meanwhile, Trump has also signalled plans to sue California over proposed redistricting, saying: “I think we’re going to be very successful in it.” California Governor Gavin Newsom responded bluntly on X: “BRING IT.”
