In yet another attempt to weaponize misinformation against the LGBTQ community, Donald Trump’s administration has canceled federal research on menstrual products after falsely claiming it was funding studies on transgender men’s cycles.
The $600,000 grant to Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana was intended to develop safer, more sustainable period products. But in typical far-right fashion, the Trump camp twisted the narrative, claiming it was part of a broader push for so-called “gender ideology.” Brooke Rollins, Trump’s agriculture secretary, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the funding was scrapped after a conservative group flagged it as a supposed example of government waste on “woke” issues.
A Manufactured Controversy
In reality, the study had nothing to do with transgender men. The university’s research proposal simply acknowledged that some trans men, intersex, and non-binary people menstruate—an objective, scientific fact. The actual goal? Creating period products from natural fibers to reduce waste. But for the Trump team, facts are optional when there’s a culture war to stoke.
The American Principles Project, a right-wing organization, declared they’d only support reinstating the grant if the university “admits there are only two sexes.” The USDA echoed this stance, stating that menstrual research “does not align with the priorities and policies of the Trump administration.” In other words: science is irrelevant if it doesn’t fit their anti-LGBTQ agenda.
What This Means for the LGBTQ Community
While this decision might seem like just another day in MAGAland, the impact is real. Research into safer menstrual products is vital for everyone who menstruates—including cis women, trans men, and non-binary folks. The cancellation of this funding not only halts crucial scientific progress but also sets a dangerous precedent: government grants can now be killed based on misinformation and transphobic hysteria.
This move is part of a larger pattern from the Trump camp, which has been aggressively targeting transgender rights. From banning trans healthcare to signing executive orders limiting gender recognition, the administration has made it clear: LGBTQ people are a political punching bag, and they’re not afraid to use junk science to justify their agenda.
The real takeaway? Trump and his allies are so obsessed with policing trans bodies that they’re willing to sabotage public health research to push their narrative. And if they’re willing to cancel menstrual product studies based on outright lies, what’s next?