NextFin news, WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it will withdraw federal funding from over 46 states and territories if they do not remove mentions of "gender ideology" from certain sex education courses. The directive specifically targets the federally funded Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), which aims to educate youth on abstinence and contraception to prevent teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
The states and territories have been given 60 days to comply with the order or risk losing millions in federal grant funding. The announcement follows a similar action last week when HHS terminated California's PREP grant for failing to comply with the same demand.
Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison of the Administration for Children and Families stated, "Accountability is coming. Federal funds will not be used to poison the minds of the next generation or advance dangerous ideological agendas. The Trump Administration will ensure that PREP reflects the intent of Congress, not the priorities of the left."
The HHS press release described the removal of "gender ideology" content as part of the administration's commitment to protecting children from what it calls "delusional ideology." The department emphasized that the statute authorizing PREP funding does not mention or support teaching concepts related to gender identity distinct from biological sex.
The directive affects states and territories including Washington, D.C., and targets educational materials that reference transgender identities or gender expression. Examples cited include language encouraging acceptance of gender identity or acknowledging that youth may express themselves in ways that do not conform to their biological sex.
Failure to comply with the order will result in withholding, suspension, or termination of federal PREP funding, which totals more than $81 million across the affected states and territories. The HHS action is part of the Trump administration's broader policy stance on gender-affirming care and education.
For a full list of the states and territories notified, HHS has published the information on its official website.
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