March 28, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

The Trump Administration Just Forbid the CDC From Using the Word “Transgender.”

On December 14, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention was given a list of forbidden terms by the Trump administration, according to media reports. On that list are words and phrases that, from this point on, CDC officials will be banned from using when it comes to writing out their budget. After a 90-minute briefing, CDC representatives were informed that the phrases “vulnerable,” “entitlement,” “diversity,” “transgender,” “fetus,” “evidence-based” and “science-based” were no longer to be used as part of official reports. While the right is claiming that these terms are full of implicit liberal bias, the left is accusing the Trump administration of censorship.

When the Washington Post first broke the story on Friday, the media took hold of the news and ran with it. Only later did a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, come forward to tell the New York Times that: “The assertion that HHS has ‘banned words’ is a complete mischaracterization of discussions regarding the budget formulation process.”

Still, journalists and citizens alike are starting to notice the subtle changes in wording and questionnaires when it comes to official documents under the Trump administration. Just this March, an entire section with questions about sexual orientation was removed from an HHS survey for elderly individuals.

The forbidden words list, in addition to counting as censorship, could also make it increasingly difficult for the CDC and HHS to do their job when it comes to gathering information on AIDS patients, Zika virus, and reproductive health for affected or at-risk Americans.

Though the forbidden terms only apply to the wording of the CDC budget, it could still pose problems for millions of Americans who are counting on government support.

Related Posts

LA Street Will Potentially Be Named After Anti-LGBTQ Singer

February 2, 2022

February 2, 2022

A portion of Bailey Street may be renamed to the late Mexican Mariachi singer ” Vicente Fernandez Street’ – a...

New CA Law Helps With Transgender Deadnames

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022

A new California law requires public colleges to update diplomas and records for transgender students who have changed their names....

Gerrie Schipske Enters Long Beach Mayoral Race

January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

Gerrie Schipske announced on Thursday, December 30th that she would run for Mayor of Long Beach this year. The second-term...

Out Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia Announces Run for the U.S. House

January 6, 2022

January 6, 2022

Gay Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia announced that he would be running for an open seat for the U.S. House. ...

LACMA Spotlights Queer Black Artists & Subjects

December 7, 2021

December 7, 2021

“The Obama Portraits Tour” and “Black American Portraits” exhibits at LACMA not only celebrate portraiture, but also queer Black artists...

WeHo Wins ‘Most Business-Friendly City Award’ from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation

November 30, 2021

November 30, 2021

The City of West Hollywood has been awarded the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s 2021 Most Business-Friendly City Award....

WeHo Announces “Hybrid” City Council Meetings

October 18, 2021

October 18, 2021

The City of West Hollywood will begin ‘hybrid’ in-person and teleconference city council meetings.  Starting on Monday, October 18th the...

Caitlyn Jenner Expresses Outrage After California Recall Vote

September 29, 2021

September 29, 2021

Republican candidate Caitlyn Jenner received only one percent of the California recall vote.  The 2021 California gubernatorial recall election was...

WeHo’s New Mayor And Mayor Pro Tem Sworn In

September 28, 2021

September 28, 2021

The City of West Hollywood has sworn in its new Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore.  Lauren Meister was sworn in...

Newsom To Sign Into Law $50M To Help Performing Arts Organizations

August 15, 2021

August 15, 2021

Governor Gavin Newsom will be signing into a law $50 million in financial relief to help small performing arts organizations. ...

$3 Million To Train California Teachers On LGBTQ Issues

July 26, 2021

July 26, 2021

California Gov. Gavin Newsom approved a final state budget that includes $3 million for LGBTQ cultural competency training for public...

WeHo Announces David Wilson As Next City Manager

May 23, 2021

May 23, 2021

The City Council of the City of West Hollywood has announced its unanimous selection of David Wilson to serve as...

Stoli Vodka’s Harvey Milk Collector’s Edition Bottle

May 13, 2021

May 13, 2021

In honor of Pride 2021 Stoli Vodka has launched a limited edition Harvey Milk collectors edition bottle.  On Harvey Milk...

Caitlyn Jenner Running For Governor Of California

April 25, 2021

April 25, 2021

Caitlyn Jenner, Olympic gold medalist and transgender activist, announced that she will be running for California Governor. 71-year-old Jenner made...

Trans Visibility Day Proclamation From President Biden

April 1, 2021

April 1, 2021

Yesterday marked the 12th anniversary of Trans Visibility Day and the first time a sitting president has ever made a...