Trump defunds California sex ed program over ‘gender ideology’

By Andrew Rice
The Center Square

The Trump administration terminated a federal grant that provided funding for sex education classes in California.

The federal government terminated the Personal Responsibility Education Program, or PREP, after California refused to remove lessons on gender ideology as part of its program.

The program included curricula that encouraged children to consider gender-related surgery, hormone therapy, add or remove breast tissue and change their names, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families.

“California’s refusal to comply with federal law and remove egregious gender ideology from federally funded sex-ed materials is unacceptable,” said Andrew Gradison, acting assistant secretary of ACF.

Between 2020 and 2023, the federal government awarded California more than $6 million to fund the state’s sex education program.

In March, ACF asked California to submit its PREP curriculum for review. The administration later asked the organization to remove its gender ideology curriculum, which it did not do.

California PREP serves youth ages 10-19 and said its curriculum has proven to delay sexual activity, increase condom and contraceptive use and reduce the number of youth sexual partners, according to the California Department of Public Health.

CDPB defended the program.

“California’s students deserve access to educational information and materials that help them make healthy decisions about sexual activity, including the decision to delay sexual activity, while honoring and respecting their dignity including gender identity. California maintains its position that the California Personal Responsibility Education Program curriculum is medically accurate, comprehensive, and age-appropriate. CA PREP curriculum was previously determined to comply with federal statute and were reviewed and approved by the Administration for Children and Families,” the agency said in a statement.

“The Trump Administration will not allow taxpayer dollars to be used to indoctrinate children,” Gradison said. “Accountability is coming for every state that uses federal funds to teach children delusional gender ideology.”