U.S. agencies remove diversity references from websites

President Trump has ordered federal agencies to remove images and references related to transgender individuals, women, and people of color from their websites. This change has raised concerns about the implications for diversity and inclusion. For instance, the Small Business Administration (SBA) removed a photo showing a diverse group of people from its site. The removal was described as urgent and unusual by a source familiar with the matter. Many other agencies are similarly scrubbing content to comply with Trump's directive on diversity policies. Transgender and non-binary individuals are particularly affected by these changes. Some experts warn that such systematic erasure can signify a government stripping rights from vulnerable groups. They note that removing visibility can lead to feelings of invisibility and diminished recognition. Several departments, including the Veterans Affairs and Education, have been involved in this removal process. The Department of Defense instructed military branches to filter out content highlighting race, gender, and ethnicity. Consequently, Arlington National Cemetery and the Army deleted various pages celebrating the history of women and people of color in military service. In response to public outcry, some content has been restored after its removal received media attention. However, the process varies by agency, with some, like NASA, facing backlash after removing profiles of women in STEM. Experts say the focus on erasing mentions of transgender people is particularly alarming. Historical accounts reveal that such targeted actions can precede greater societal oppression. Furthermore, the Department of Veterans Affairs has proposed changes that could hinder care for transgender veterans. This shift in government communications reflects a broader trend impacting marginalized communities, sparking fears about the future of inclusivity in federal policies and services.