Advocates opposing gender ideology are pressing President Donald Trump to link federal child welfare funding to policies rejecting such ideology. They have drafted an executive order to redefine child abuse and protect parents who refuse to affirm their children's gender transitions. The effort highlights cases where parents faced investigations or lost custody for their stance.
In Washington, a group of advocates with experience combating gender extremism is advocating for changes to child welfare programs. They aim to present a draft executive order to President Trump that would condition federal funding on states rejecting gender ideology in these systems. The proposal seeks to redefine child abuse and neglect, countering claims by some organizations that refusing to affirm a child's gender identity constitutes abuse.
The order would also ensure foster care funding supports plans that do not discriminate against prospective parents based on religious or political beliefs, nor house children according to gender identity. Advocates point to instances where parents have faced Child Protective Services investigations, custody threats, or denials for not supporting gender transitions. For example, Ted Hudacko lost custody of a son to his ex-wife after questioning the effects of gender transition on children.
Erin Friday, president of the non-partisan group Our Duty-USA, who herself faced investigation for not affirming her daughter's gender identity, described the push: "My team and I have been pulling on every level to get this proposed executive order in front of the President, contacting every contact we have in the administration, including agency leaders." She added, "This administration is dedicated to protecting children and families from gender ideology, and if we could meet with President Trump or get the proposed order in his hands, parents would be able to stop living in fear."
Concerns persist that Trump's November executive order on foster care falls short, particularly regarding cases where activists encourage children to enter the system to access transgender treatments despite parental objections. A letter from a West Coast child welfare agency, obtained by reporters, accused an anonymous parent of causing "significant mental injury" to their child through adverse reactions to the child's gender identity expression.
Erin Lee recounted her experience in Colorado, where she and her husband were investigated by CPS after refusing to affirm their 12-year-old daughter's claim of being a transgender boy. She alleged school staff secretly influenced the child and triggered the welfare check. Their lawsuit reached the Supreme Court, which declined to hear it, though Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch noted concerns over schools assisting transitions without parental consent.
Lee has encountered numerous similar families, especially in Colorado, where laws like HB 24-1039 require schools to use students' chosen names, deeming otherwise discriminatory, and HB 24-1017 mandates foster families affirm gender identities. "In court, all these kids and their groomers have to say is that parents are not using the new name and pronouns, and 100% of the time, that’s enough to warrant parents losing custody," she stated. Advocates argue public schools often initiate these issues by encouraging gender exploration.
