Fact Check: "Trump's administration has erased LGBTQ references from federal websites."
What We Know
During the Trump administration, significant changes were made to federal health agency websites, particularly those under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Reports indicate that numerous webpages containing information related to LGBTQ+ health, rights, and data were removed or rendered inaccessible. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) saw the disappearance of pages that discussed LGBTQ+ health issues, including a page outlining the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in healthcare settings (NPR).
Additionally, an executive order titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government" directed federal agencies to eliminate references to "gender identity" from government forms and to cease funding related to "gender ideology" (NPR). This order, along with others targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, led to a broader purge of information that did not align with the administration's policies (BBC).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that the Trump administration erased LGBTQ references from federal websites is substantial. Multiple credible sources, including NPR and BBC, document the systematic removal of LGBTQ-related content from key public health websites. The CDC, for example, removed pages that were crucial for monitoring health issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, such as HIV and mental health data among youth (NPR; BBC).
The reliability of these sources is high; NPR is a well-established news organization known for its investigative journalism, and BBC is a globally recognized news outlet. Both have reported on the implications of the executive orders and the resulting changes to federal health resources. Furthermore, the Infectious Disease Society of America expressed concern over the removal of these resources, highlighting the potential negative impact on public health and the monitoring of disease outbreaks (NPR).
Critics of the administration's actions argue that the removal of such information creates a dangerous gap in scientific knowledge and undermines efforts to address health disparities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals (NPR). The lack of transparency regarding the decision-making process behind these removals raises questions about the motivations and implications of such actions.
Conclusion
The claim that the Trump administration erased LGBTQ references from federal websites is True. The evidence clearly indicates that under the direction of the Trump administration, numerous webpages containing critical information about LGBTQ+ health and rights were removed from federal health agency websites. This action aligns with broader executive orders aimed at limiting discussions of gender identity and diversity within federal agencies.
