Erasing Science: CDC Orders Censorship of LGBTQ+ and Gender Terminology in Medical Research

 A troubling directive has surfaced, one that should alarm anyone who values scientific integrity, public health, and human rights. According to reports, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been ordered to retract all scientific papers involving its researchers from external journals in order to remove language that does not comply with an executive order recognizing only two sexes: male and female (Reuters).

What Words Are Being Censored?

The specific terms flagged for removal include:

Gender

Transgender

LGBT

Nonbinary

CDC scientists have also been instructed to remove their names from co-authored papers that originate outside the agency. This raises significant concerns about the suppression of scientific collaboration and the erasure of research that includes LGBTQ+ individuals.

The Dangerous Precedent of Government Censorship in Science

This isn’t the first time language censorship has been imposed on federal agencies. In 2017, the Trump administration was reported to have banned seven words from CDC budget documents:

Vulnerable

Entitlement

Diversity

Transgender

Fetus

Evidence-based

Science-based

Such efforts to control scientific language have serious consequences. They distort medical research, silence marginalized communities, and undermine trust in public health institutions.

Why This Matters

Erasing terms like “transgender” and “LGBT” doesn’t change the fact that these communities exist and have distinct healthcare needs. Stripping science of inclusive language directly harms people by preventing research on issues like HIV prevention, mental health disparities, and gender-affirming care.

Censorship in science is a slippery slope—if these words can be erased today, what else will be deemed too politically inconvenient tomorrow? Climate change? Racial disparities? Workplace safety?

What Can We Do?

1. Stay Informed & Speak Out – Follow independent journalists and organizations tracking this issue. Share this information on social media and with your networks.

2. Support Scientific Integrity – Back organizations and researchers committed to evidence-based, inclusive science.

3. Hold Leaders Accountable – Contact your representatives and demand transparency and protections for public health research.

This issue is not just about words—it’s about truth, integrity, and the right of all people to be seen, studied, and cared for. Silencing science harms everyone.