The Trump administration has taken a controversial step by adding disclaimers to federal websites, condemning "gender ideology" and sparking concerns over transgender rights and scientific censorship. The move comes after a federal judge ordered the administration to restore certain websites that had been taken down in an effort to comply with an executive order targeting transgender people.
The disclaimers, which appear on websites such as the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, read: "Per a court order, HHS is required to restore this website as of 11:59 PM on February 11, 2025. Any information on this page promoting gender ideology is extremely inaccurate and disconnected from the immutable biological reality that there are two sexes, male and female." The notice goes on to condemn the supposed "harms" caused by "gender ideology" to children and women, echoing language from Trump's executive order on "gender ideology extremism."
The move has been widely criticized by LGBTQ+ advocates and scientists, who argue that the administration is attempting to erase transgender people from government websites and deny them medical care and other essential services. The disclaimers have also raised concerns about scientific censorship, as researchers are being forced to remove references to transgender people from documents and websites to avoid drawing the ire of the Trump administration.
The Trump administration's actions are part of a broader effort to roll back protections for transgender people, including attempts to ban trans people from women's sports, block "X" markers on passports, and deny them medical care. The administration's goal appears to be to push transgender people to the margins of society and to threaten researchers, nonprofits, medical providers, and others who work with and serve trans adults and kids.
The implications of this move are far-reaching, with potential consequences for the scientific community, LGBTQ+ individuals, and society as a whole. The Trump administration's actions have already had a chilling effect on researchers, who are self-censoring to avoid drawing attention from the administration. This could have long-term consequences for our understanding of gender and sexuality, as well as for the health and well-being of transgender people.
In conclusion, the Trump administration's decision to add anti-trans notices to restored federal websites is a disturbing development that has sparked widespread outrage and concern. As the administration continues to push its anti-trans agenda, it is essential that we remain vigilant and speak out against these harmful and discriminatory actions.