Federal agency orders Alaska to remove gender ideology content from state teen health program

The federal Administration for Children and Families has instructed the Alaska Department of Health & Social Services to remove content related to gender ideology from its state Personal Responsibility Education Program, a federally funded initiative for adolescent health education.

In a letter dated Aug. 26, ACF cited materials submitted by Alaska to the federal agency for a routine medical accuracy review of PREP curricula for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025.

The review was halted after federal officials determined that some of the content, specifically lessons addressing gender ideology, fell outside the scope of the program’s authorizing statute.

“ACF identified content in the curricula and other program materials that fall outside of the scope of PREP’s authorizing statute,” the letter states. “All references to this content must be removed from Alaska’s PREP curricula and program materials.”

Some of the material in Alaska curricula that is not considered biologically accurate and that could risk funding withdrawal include these currently taught concepts:

Unit 3: Human Development and Sexual Health, pages 218-19: “Gender Identity – A person’s own sense of identification as male or female. Not necessarily the same as an individual’s biological identity.
Transgender – A term for a person whose gender identity does not match society’s expectations for someone with their physical sex characteristics.
Two Spirited – A term used in some Native American communities. This refers to people having both a male and female spirit. This can include ideas of both sexual orientation and gender identity.
Pansexual – People who are physically and/or emotionally attracted to members of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Their attraction is not limited to any specific group.
Transsexual – A person who experiences intense personal and emotional discomfort with his or her birth gender and may undergo treatment to transition gender.
Gender Expression – The way in which people express their gender identity to. others. This may be the stereotypical expressions of male or female; it may also be a combination of the two genders or a mixed or multiple model of male and female expressions.”

• Page 230: “Explain to students that being in high school presents many challenges and is often a difficult time for many students. Furthermore, students who may be questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation or for students who don’t feel like they fit into what society expects of them in terms of gender roles or relationships are presented with additional pressures and challenges.”

Page 36: “Language Matters. It is important to use gender neutral language while facilitating the sessions. Every effort has been made in these sessions to use language that is gender neutral. We want to provide a space where all students feel welcome and safe, therefore the proper use of language is a key component for consideration.”

• Page 49: “Do you think there is any difference in how someone chooses their friend/partner if they are LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, two spirited, queer)?”

The federal agency also warned that additional enforcement actions could be taken if Alaska does not comply, including withholding or terminating federal funding. Alaska’s DHSS has been given until Oct. 27 to submit revised materials.

Personal Responsibility Education Program is a federally funded program aimed at promoting adolescent health through education on topics such as sexual health, pregnancy prevention, healthy relationships, and decision-making skills. Federal guidelines specify that curricula must focus on topics authorized under the law and that content must be medically accurate.

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