A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from forcing recipients of teen pregnancy prevention grants to follow directives aimed at curbing “radical indoctrination” and “gender ideology.”
The ruling is a win for Planned Parenthood affiliates in California, Iowa, and New York, who challenged a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) policy issued in July. The organizations argued that the guidance conflicted with congressional grant requirements.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, appointed by former President Barack Obama, criticized the policy in her ruling, stating it was “motivated solely by political concerns, devoid of any considered process or analysis, and ignorant of the statutory emphasis on evidence-based programming.”
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The guidance emerged from a series of executive orders issued by Trump aimed at reversing recognition of LGBTQ+ rights and limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. It specifically objected to instruction promoting same-sex marriage or sexual activity for minors.
Planned Parenthood contended that the policy was vague and conflicted with the grant’s statutory requirements, leaving recipients uncertain about compliance.
Judge Howell sided with the affiliates, ruling that the new directives cannot be enforced. The injunction extends beyond Planned Parenthood to nonprofit organizations, city and county health departments, Native American tribes, and universities receiving funding.
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HHS, according to AP, declined to comment on the ruling but previously defended the guidance as ensuring taxpayer dollars do not support material that “undermines parental rights, promotes radical gender ideology, or exposes children to sexually explicit material under the banner of public health.”
