States ordered to remove gender ideology from sex education course materials in Kentucky
In a recent development, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a directive to 46 states and territories, including Kentucky, to remove all references to gender ideology from federally funded sex education programs within the next 60 days.
The directive, which comes from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), oversees the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP), has been met with strong support from various organisations in Kentucky.
David Walls, the executive director of The Family Foundation, has called for immediate and decisive action from Gov. Andy Beshear's administration to remove gender ideology from the sex education programs in the state. Walls urges the people of Kentucky to demand accountability from the Beshear Administration if the governor fails to act.
Addia Wuchner, executive director of Kentucky Right to Life, echoed similar sentiments, urging state officials to comply with the directive. Wuchner stated, "Our students deserve truth, not indoctrination."
The letters to all 46 states and territories, including Kentucky, can be found at acf.gov/08.26.25-Combined-PREP-Letters.
Kentucky currently receives $1.4 million in PREP funding and has until Oct. 27 to submit a revised curriculum. Officials warned that other states failing to act could face the same penalties, including suspension or termination of funding.
Last week, ACF terminated California's PREP grant after the state refused to comply with the requirement. Acting Assistant Secretary Andrew Gradison, who is responsible for enforcing the directive, stated, "Federal funds will not be used to poison the minds of the next generation or advance dangerous ideological agendas."
If the General Assembly is required to intervene, it will be when they reconvene in Frankfort. Details on how much funding each state and territory could forfeit can be found at acf.gov/PREP-State-Funding-Data.
The Trump Administration intends to ensure that PREP reflects the intent of Congress, not the priorities of the left. The 46 states and territories that received letters include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the territories of Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Washington D.C.
Kentucky Today has reached out to the governor's office for comment.
