Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Effort to Cut Sexual Education Funding

Thu Oct 30 2025 19:41:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A federal judge in Oregon has issued a preliminary injunction preventing the withdrawal of sexual education funding from states over the inclusion of diverse gender identities in curricula.

U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken has ruled against the Trump Administration's move to cut sexual education funding for states that incorporate diverse gender identities in their education programs. The lawsuit, brought by 16 states and Washington D.C., claims the administration's actions violate federal law and compromise critical funding for health education tailored for at-risk youth. The judge's decision emphasizes the lack of evidence supporting the administration's new grant conditions, which are perceived as discriminatory.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal judge in Oregon has blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from pulling sexual education funding over curricula mentioning diverse gender identities.

U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken issued the preliminary injunction Monday as part of a lawsuit filed against the Health and Human Services Department by 16 states and the District of Columbia, arguing that cutting such funding violates the separation of powers and federal law.

The lawsuit claims the department's actions force states to 'rewrite sexual health curricula to erase entire categories of students' and are seen as a targeted attack on transgender and gender-diverse youth. The administration contends it has the authority to impose funding conditions.

Judge Aiken stated that the Health and Human Services Department failed to provide evidence for its claims and that the new conditions did not appear reasonable, highlighting the lack of factual findings.

“The department does not demonstrate how it considered the statutory objectives, relevant data, or anti-discrimination statutes,” Aiken noted.

The department's controversial move aimed to eliminate what it termed 'gender ideology' from educational content funded through the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP) and the Title V Sexual Risk Avoidance Education program, both crucial for providing sexual health education.

The lawsuit warns that the withdrawal of these funds could harm state programs, particularly those aimed at high-risk youth, amounting to potential losses of over $35 million.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who co-led the lawsuit, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing the importance of maintaining funding for vital health education programs. The debate continues surrounding the administration's restrictive policies and the broader implications for gender identity recognition within educational curricula.