Trump administration demands Nevada remove “gender ideology” from sex education programs

Federal funding on the line

By Brittany Sheehan  

Nevada News and Views

The Trump administration just put Nevada on notice. The state has 60 days to clean up its sex education programs or lose over $1 million in federal funding. This isn’t just about Nevada—45 other states got the same warning on Tuesday morning.

The issue is about something called PREP. That stands for Personal Responsibility Education Program. It’s a federal program that gives money to states to teach kids about preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The program teaches both abstinence and contraception to teens aged 10 to 19.

But now the feds say there’s a problem. They claim Nevada’s PREP materials contain “gender ideology” that doesn’t belong in these programs. The Trump administration wants all references to this removed within two months.

What Officials Are Saying

“Accountability is coming,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison.

“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 administration hasn’t spelled out exactly what it considers “gender ideology.” But based on other Trump policies, this likely means any content that talks about transgender people or gender identity issues.

The administration says this action: “reflects the Trump Administration’s ongoing commitment to protecting children from attempts to indoctrinate them with delusional ideology.”

Why This Matters to Conservatives

This issue hits at the heart of what many conservative families believe. Parents should decide what their kids learn about sex and relationships. Not Washington bureaucrats. Not activist groups. Parents.

For years, conservatives have watched federal programs push ideas that go against their values. Now we have an administration willing to use the power of the purse to stop it. Over $81 million in PREP funding is at stake across all the states and territories.

This is about more than just sex ed. It’s about who gets to shape what kids learn in school. When federal programs sneak in content about gender identity without parents knowing, that’s a problem. Especially when taxpayers are footing the bill.

The PREP program was supposed to be about preventing teen pregnancy and disease. It targets youth who are “homeless, in foster care, live in rural areas or in geographic areas with high teen birth rates, or come from racial or ethnic minority groups.” These are vulnerable kids who need practical help, not political messaging.

What Critics Are Saying

Liberal groups are fighting back hard. They claim the administration is attacking transgender kids and limiting free speech. Some say this violates federal anti-discrimination laws.

California’s Department of Public Health says its PREP curriculum is “medically accurate, comprehensive, and age-appropriate” and was previously approved by federal officials. They argue the content meets federal requirements to address “adolescent development” and serve diverse populations.

Several lawsuits are already in the works. Civil rights groups say the Trump administration is going too far. They worry this could spread to other federal programs.

California Already Lost Its Funding

Nevada isn’t the first state to face this choice. California already had its PREP grant terminated after the state failed to meet the Trump administration’s demand to remove gender ideology from its educational materials. California lost over $6 million in federal funding.

The materials that got California in trouble included programs with names like “Rights, Respect, Responsibility” and “Teen Talk.” These programs included “explanations of gender identity and what it means to be transgender.”

California fought back but lost. Now the same thing could happen in Nevada and dozens of other states.

What Comes Next

Nevada has until late October to decide. The state can remove the content the feds don’t like, or it can lose the money. There’s no middle ground here.

Other states are watching closely. If states don’t comply, they face “the withholding, suspension, or termination of federal PREP funding.” That’s real money that pays for real programs.

This could be just the beginning. The Trump administration has made it clear that federal money won’t support programs that push gender ideology. An executive order signed on Trump’s first day back in office says the U.S. recognizes only two unchangeable sexes, male and female, and prohibits the federal government from promoting “gender ideology.”

What Conservatives Can Do

This is a chance for conservatives to make their voices heard. Contact Nevada officials and urge them to comply with federal requirements. The state shouldn’t risk losing millions in funding to push political agendas.

Parents need to stay involved in what their kids are learning. Ask to see the materials used in sex education programs. Find out if your school district uses PREP funding and what content they’re teaching.

Support elected officials who stand up for parental rights. This battle isn’t just about one program. It’s about who controls education—parents or bureaucrats.

The Trump administration is showing that elections have consequences. When conservatives vote, they can change policy at the federal level. This PREP issue proves that having the right people in charge makes a real difference.

Stay informed about what happens in Nevada and other states. If more states lose funding for refusing to comply, that sends a message to everyone else. Federal money comes with federal rules.

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Brittany Sheehan is a Las Vegas-based mother, policy advocate and grassroots leader. She is active in local politics, successful in campaign work and passionate about liberty.