Exploring Taxpayer-Funded Research on LGBT Issues by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
In recent years, U.S. taxpayers have funded research on LGBT issues by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, sparking scrutiny under the Trump administration. The research involves conducting interviews to explore discrimination hypotheses, with one grant focusing on “queer farmers’ quality of life in Pennsylvania.”
One such grant from 2018, amounting to $14,997, was awarded for the study titled “Sexuality and Sustainable Agriculture: Examining Queer Farmers’ Quality of Life in Pennsylvania.” Critics argue that such spending detracts from supporting farmers and reducing food prices, which have risen during the Biden administration concurrently with this research funding.
The project highlighted the challenges faced by queer farmers, emphasizing additional hurdles for transgender, non-binary, and women farmers, who have created support networks to overcome these obstacles.
Another grant in 2021-2024 focused on Latinx gender identities in sustainable agriculture, delving into the impact of ethnic and gender identities on Latino/a participation in farming in Pennsylvania.
Furthermore, a 2022 grant explored queer farmers’ relationships, ethics, and practices in the Midwest, shedding light on the struggles faced by queer farmers in finding safe and supportive work opportunities due to societal perceptions of their gender or sexuality.
President Trump’s executive order banning federal funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion projects led to a reevaluation of such initiatives, prompting a review of contracts and personnel by the USDA. The Biden administration’s focus on DEI initiatives has been met with criticism, with concerns raised about taxpayer values being compromised.
As the USDA conducts a comprehensive review of its programs, the controversy surrounding taxpayer-funded research on LGBT issues continues to be a subject of debate among policymakers and the public.
Syndicated with permission from The Center Square.
