Government Websites on HIV, LGBTQ+ Health, and Reproductive Rights Taken Down Following Executive Orders
Public Health Information Removed from Federal Websites
Multiple government agency websites containing crucial public health information on HIV, LGBTQ+ health, reproductive rights, and diversity initiatives were taken down as of Friday evening. The move follows executive orders from President Donald Trump targeting gender ideology and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
What Was Removed?
According to officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), key terms such as “pregnant people,” “chestfeeding,” “diversity,” “DEI,” and references to gender and health equity were flagged for removal.
Among the affected pages and databases:
🔴 HIV Data & Risk Information – CDC pages detailing HIV diagnosis rates, infection breakdowns by race and gender, and risk assessments for various sexual behaviors.
🔴 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System – A national survey tracking teenagers’ health habits and gender identity data.
🔴 HIV Risk Reduction Tool – An interactive resource for users to evaluate the risk of certain sexual behaviors.
🔴 Reproductiverights.gov – A website providing resources on reproductive healthcare and abortion access.
🔴 FDA’s “Minority Health and Health Equity” Page – Information focused on health disparities in minority communities.
Rushed Efforts to Preserve Data
Researchers and advocacy groups scrambled to archive as much data as possible before the websites went offline. Several public health experts expressed concern over the loss of critical health information used by medical professionals, educators, and the public.
Will the Pages Return?
Officials at HHS and the CDC suggested that some pages may be reinstated after their language is revised to comply with the new executive orders. However, it remains unclear which pages, if any, will return.
For now, much of the CDC’s previous HIV-related content has been replaced with a single, simplified page titled “About HIV.”
Trump Responds: “It Doesn’t Sound Like a Bad Idea”
When asked in the Oval Office on Friday whether government websites were being taken down for review, Trump did not deny the action:
🔹 “I don’t know – it doesn’t sound like a bad idea to me,” Trump said.
🔹 “DEI would have ruined our country, and now it’s dead. So, if they want to scrub the website, that’s OK with me. But I can’t tell you.”
Trump’s executive order on DEI called for the elimination of related policies within the federal government. Another order, titled “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” directed agencies to recognize only two sexes: male and female.
Deadline for Website Removals
A memo sent to HHS officials on Wednesday instructed agencies, including the CDC, to remove “all outward-facing media (websites, social media, etc.) promoting gender ideology” by 5 p.m. on Friday.
What’s Next?
With federal agencies now enforcing these executive orders, public health experts warn of potential consequences, particularly for marginalized communities relying on government resources for healthcare, prevention strategies, and reproductive rights information.
For now, researchers and advocacy groups continue their efforts to document and preserve lost information while awaiting further clarification from government agencies.
