Federal government pours $22 million into teen sex education program that instructs minors to hide information from parents, raising serious questions about appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.

At a Glance

• The Center for Innovative Public Health Research (CIPHR) received $22 million in federal funding over nearly a decade for teen sex education programs
• CIPHR’s Girl2Girl program sends texts to teen girls aged 14-16 with explicit content about sex toys and instructs them to hide information from parents
• In 2023, CIPHR launched Transcendent Health, a $1.3 million federally funded program targeting gender-confused minors
• Critics argue these programs circumvent parental authority and misuse taxpayer dollars
• The Trump administration is reviewing government spending, including CIPHR’s funding

Federal Funding for Controversial Sex Ed Programs

The U.S. government has allocated significant taxpayer dollars toward sex education programs with questionable content and methodologies. Over nearly a decade, the Center for Innovative Public Health Research (CIPHR) received approximately $22 million in federal funding for programs targeting teenagers.

These initiatives, including the Girl2Girl text messaging service, have sparked controversy for their explicit content and instructions to minors about concealing information from parents, raising concerns about government overreach into family matters and appropriate use of public funds.

“For almost a decade, the U.S. government funded a group that actively works to teach kids how to use sex toys and then keep them hidden from their parents to the tune of $22 million,” notes investigative reporter Hannah Grossman.

The Girl2Girl Program and Parent Exclusion

The CIPHR Girl2Girl program specifically targets teen girls aged 14-16 with daily text messages about sexual topics. The content includes information about sex toys, lubricants, and other explicit material not typically covered in traditional sex education.

More concerning to critics is the program’s instruction to participants about keeping these communications hidden from parents. This approach deliberately circumvents parental oversight and creates a direct government-to-minor relationship on sensitive topics that many families believe should remain within their domain.

Expanding to Gender Identity Programs

CIPHR’s recent expansion includes the Transcendent Health program, launched in 2023 with $1.3 million in federal grant money. This initiative specifically targets minors experiencing gender identity confusion, providing them with specialized educational resources.

The program’s content and approach have raised additional concerns among those who question whether federal dollars should fund initiatives that address such sensitive topics without requiring parental involvement or consent. Critics argue these programs bypass traditional family structures and parental authority.

Federal Review of Sex Education Funding

The controversy surrounding CIPHR’s federally funded programs has gained attention within government oversight circles. The Trump administration has initiated a review of government spending, including an examination of the funding provided to CIPHR.

This review forms part of a broader effort to identify potential waste, fraud, and questionable use of taxpayer dollars, particularly in programs that may conflict with traditional family values or parental authority. The outcome could significantly impact how federal funds are allocated for youth sex education initiatives in the future.

“By doing so, the Trump administration can send a clear message: Taxpayers will no longer foot the bill for perverted ‘research’ projects,” reports Grossman regarding the ongoing funding review.

The Broader Context of Sex Education Funding

The CIPHR controversy highlights the complex landscape of sex education funding in America. While there is no federal mandate for sexual health education, the government funds various initiatives through different programs. Historically, federal funding has focused on abstinence-only education, though this has shifted in recent years.

The disparity in sex education quality between well-resourced and under-resourced schools remains significant, with poorer districts often lacking comprehensive programs or relying on outdated materials. This creates an environment where external programs like those offered by CIPHR can gain traction.

“The fact is, for the majority of our history as a country, we’ve been grappling over what we should teach young people about sex,” explains Christine Soyong Harley, highlighting the ongoing national debate about appropriate sex education content and funding.