Fact Check: "Trump's administration scrubs LGBTQ references from official websites."
What We Know
During the Trump administration, there were significant changes to federal health agency websites, particularly concerning LGBTQ+ references and data. Reports indicate that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), removed various webpages that contained information related to LGBTQ+ health and rights. For instance, several pages that detailed LGBTQ+ health issues were taken down, including a page from the HHS Office for Civil Rights that outlined the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in healthcare settings (NPR). Additionally, the National Institutes of Health's Office for Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office was also removed (NPR).
Moreover, the National Park Service altered the Stonewall National Monument website, reducing the acronym LGBTQ+ to LGB, effectively erasing references to transgender individuals (BBC). This change was part of a broader initiative following an executive order titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government," which directed federal agencies to stop recognizing gender identity as a category and to eliminate funding associated with "gender ideology" (NPR).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that the Trump administration scrubbed LGBTQ references from official websites is robust. Multiple credible sources confirm that significant deletions occurred across various federal health agency websites. The NPR articles highlight the removal of critical health data and resources, which were essential for monitoring and addressing health issues within the LGBTQ+ community (NPR, NPR). The actions taken by the administration were not only limited to health data but also extended to cultural and historical references, as evidenced by the changes made to the Stonewall National Monument website (BBC).
The sources used in this analysis are credible and well-regarded in journalism. NPR is known for its in-depth reporting and adherence to journalistic standards, while the BBC is a globally recognized news organization. Both provide detailed accounts of the actions taken by the Trump administration and the implications of these changes. The use of executive orders to justify these removals indicates a systematic approach to altering how federal agencies engage with LGBTQ+ issues, which raises concerns about the potential impact on public health and civil rights (NPR, BBC).
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump's administration scrubs LGBTQ references from official websites" is True. The evidence clearly shows that the Trump administration directed federal agencies to remove LGBTQ-related content from their websites, impacting both health resources and historical references. This action aligns with the broader policy changes initiated by executive orders aimed at limiting recognition and support for LGBTQ+ rights within the federal government.
Sources
- Federal health agencies remove data from websites : Shots
- Transgender references removed from Stonewall ...
- Here are all the ways people are disappearing from ...
- US federal websites scrub vaccine data and LGBT references
- Overview of President Trump's Executive Actions Impacting ...
- TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REMOVES LGBTQ AND HIV ...
