The State Department is considering barring U.S. diplomats from using terms including “sexual and reproductive health” and “comprehensive sexuality education,” according to a new report.
The suggestion is included in a memo that still requires approval from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, amid the urging of several conservative political appointees in the State Department and other federal agencies, Politico reports.
According to the memo, “sexual reproductive health” and “comprehensive sexuality education” would be replaced by terms including “reproduction and the related health services” in official communications of U.S. officials, a source familiar with the issue said. However, the proposed change is tentative and not finalized yet.
It’s uncertain what the ramifications would be of prohibiting such terms, and the memo where the policy change is included has not yet been signed by Pompeo.
The State Department did not respond to requests for comment from Politico about whether Pompeo intended to sign the proposal.
Pompeo was nominated by President Trump to serve as secretary of State in the spring, replacing former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.