Trump administration orders CT to remove gender identity from sex ed materials
Connecticut must remove references to gender identity and diversity from teen pregnancy and sexually-transmitted diseases classes, according to a new order from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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The Trump administration is giving Connecticut 60 days to make drastic changes to sex education materials – or lose federal funding for teen pregnancy and sexually-transmitted disease prevention programs.
Vowing that “federal funds will not be used to poison the minds of the next generation,” the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ordered the state to remove references to gender identity from the Personal Responsibility Education Program.
PREP includes the “Be Proud! Be Responsible!” and “Making Proud Choices” courses taught in more than two dozen schools across the state.
NEW SEX ED DIRECTIVE
The new directive could erase transgender teens like Cameron Celotto from the PREP curriculum.
“I came out as transgender almost four years ago,” he told News 12 Connecticut in February. “I was like, ‘Ah, this is a phase. It’ll pass.’ And it didn’t.”
In a letter on Tuesday, HHS ordered the Connecticut Department of Public Health to remove references to “pronouns,” “transgender or gender nonconforming youth,” “gender identity” and “gender expression” from PREP materials.
Also on the chopping block? Lessons to “respect diversity” and “demonstrate acceptance and respect for all participants, regardless of personal characteristics, including race, cultural background, religion, social class, sexual orientation or gender identity.”
In addition to Connecticut, 39 states and the District of Columbia received similar letters.
“Accountability is coming. Federal funds will not be used to poison the minds of the next generation or advance dangerous ideological agendas,” said Andrew Gradison, acting assistant secretary for HHS’ Administration for Children and Families in a statement. “The Trump administration will ensure that PREP reflects the intent of Congress, not the priorities of the left.”
The agency already pulled California's $5 million PREP grant last week.
“LET OUR TEACHERS TEACH”
For Connecticut, there isn’t a huge amount of money at stake. The state would lose $544,000 in grant funds, according to HHS records.
But Gov. Ned Lamont said that ordering states to remove educational materials is a dangerous precent.
“Let our teachers teach. I don't need a bunch of bureaucrats in Washington D.C. bossing them around,” he said on Wednesday. “Leave us alone. Our teachers know how to teach. Our superintendents are taking the lead. Let them make the call. They work with the parents’ groups very locally.”
A DPH spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
