HHS Terminates Sex Ed Grants in California, Nebraska Over Gender Ideology

The Trump administration has taken decisive action to withhold federal funding from sex education programs in Nebraska and California due to their inclusion of what the administration terms "gender ideology" in their curricula. The Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families (ACF) sent warnings to Nebraska and 39 other states, demanding the removal of content that distinguishes gender identity from biological sex from the federally funded Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP). In California, the administration terminated a $12 million grant for PREP after the state refused to remove transgender and gender identity content, which ACF officials labeled as outside the scope of the program's statutory mandate and described as indoctrination. Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison emphasized that the administration will not tolerate the use of taxpayer dollars to promote what it calls "delusional gender ideology," asserting accountability for states that do not comply. The disputed curricula in California serve vulnerable youth populations, including those in foster care and homeless shelters, and have been shown by state officials to delay sexual activity and reduce teen pregnancies. The administration's stance has sparked criticism from advocates who argue that the gender identity content is medically accurate and relevant to subjects such as adolescent development and healthy relationships.