Federal funds for sex ed halted over 'gender ideology'

Trump administration tells state that content on nonbinary identity shouldn't be included.

- BY HOWARD BLUME

ANNA MONEYMAKER Getty Images

AN AGENCY under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., left, canceled the grant to California.

The Trump administration has canceled a sexual education grant to California worth about $12.3 million on the grounds that it included “radical gender ideology” after state officials refused to revise the materials.

The funding helps pay for sex education programs in juvenile justice facilities, homeless shelters and foster care group homes, as well as some schools, reaching an estimated 13,000 youths per year through 20 agencies.

The Thursday announcement had been expected because it was linked to a 60-day compliance deadline.

"California's refusal to comply with federal law and remove egregious gender ideology from federally funded sexed materials is unacceptable," said acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison of the Administration for Children and Families. "The Trump Administration will not allow taxpayer dollars to be used to indoctrinate children. Accountability is coming for every state that uses federal funds to teach children delusional gender ideology."

State officials have taken the position that its materials are accurate and do not violate the terms of the federal grant.

On Thursday, the governor’s office responded with a criticism of the Trump administration in phrasing it has used previously. “If it’s a day ending in ‘y,’ President Trump is attacking kids’ safety, health, and access to education as part of his culture war,” deputy communications director Elana Ross said. Other state agencies did not immediately respond.

The Trump administration is not accusing California of failing to carry out the abstinence and contraception instruction funded by the grant. Rather, the state has included additional content that the Trump administration defines as objectionable and “outside the scope” of the grant’s purpose.