Donald Trump threatens funding cuts to states
The Trump administration among the 40 states has directed the Alabama department of public health (ADPH) to revise its teen sex education curriculum funded under the federal personal responsibility education program (PREP), citing the inclusion of “gender ideology” as outside the scope of the law, within 60 days.In a letter sent to the state, federal officials said Alabama’s current use of PREP funds – totaling $1.8 million annually – must exclude content related to gender identity and pronoun usage, which they say were improperly approved by the previous administration.“The statute neither requires, supports nor authorizes teaching students that gender identity is distinct from biological sex or that boys can identify as girls and vice versa,” the letter said, according to reporting by AL.com.“Thus, gender ideology is outside the scope of the authorizing statute and any expenditures associated with gender ideology are not allowable, reasonable, or allocable to the PREP grant.”Acting assistant secretary Andrew Gradison of administration for children and families, part of the US department of health and human services, in his letters to states said, “Accountability is coming,” Gradison said in a press release. “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.” PREP grants are intended to educate adolescents on topics like abstinence, contraception, and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. However, current Alabama curriculum materials also include language encouraging educators to ask participants for their pronouns as a way to create “a safe space for transgender or gender nonconforming youth.” “Model what you want participants to say by giving your own pronouns,” the curriculum says.“Some transgender youth might have typical pronouns (he/she/his/her/their) or they might request more creative pronouns such as hir or zir.”It adds, “The simple act of requesting pronouns sends the message that transgender and gender nonconforming youth are welcome and respected in the group.”The federal letter acknowledged that such language had previously been approved but said the “prior administration erred in allowing PREP grants to be used to teach students gender ideology.” It continued, “that approval exceeded the agency’s authority to administer the program consistent with the authorizing legislation as enacted by Congress.”As a result, “Alabama’s current PREP curricula and program materials are out of compliance with the PREP statute and HHS regulations and must be modified,” the letter said.State Senator Chris Elliott, a Republican from Baldwin County, confirmed that the matter was raised in a recent meeting in Washington with Trump administration officials.“They expressed concern about the Alabama department of public health’s use of PREP funds,” Elliott told AL.com, noting that the concerns were part of a broader discussion around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts and the creation of the Alabama office of minority affairs.
