The Federal Government’s Funding of LGBT Causes: A Left-Wing Capture
According to experts, the federal government’s financial support for transgenderism and other LGBT initiatives is a result of left-wing bureaucrats dominating federal grant-giving programs. “When you dig into who staffs federal agencies, they’re absolutely dominated by people on the left side of the political spectrum,” says David Ditch, senior budget policy analyst for The Heritage Foundation. This trend has persisted for a long time and is expected to continue regardless of the next presidential election.
Mr. Ditch and other researchers have analyzed federal grant records, revealing a pattern of LGBT activists embedded within federal agencies. These activists have the power to decide which projects receive funding and which organizations, both in the United States and abroad, receive taxpayer money to advance their agendas.
Examples of grants awarded in recent years include $65,000 for a “Queer Arts Festival” in San Francisco, $2,315 to support “professional transgender women makeup entrepreneurs” in Nepal, and $350,000 to translate an LGBT sex manual into Spanish at the University of Washington.
From Oct. 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2023, the federal government allocated over $4.1 billion in grants related to “LGBT” or “transgender” initiatives, as revealed by an investigation by The Epoch Times. This funding surge has occurred under President Joe Biden, who has allowed LGBT activist groups to gain even more influence within the federal bureaucracy.
“A lot of [former President Barack Obama’s] staffers felt that they needed to restrain some of their most extreme impulses,” explains Mr. Ditch. However, the Biden administration has shown no such restraint, leading to a further expansion of left-wing activism within the federal government.
David Ditch, senior budget policy analyst for The Heritage Foundation. (Courtesy of The Heritage Foundation)
Decision-makers in the Biden administration are eager to provide grants to ideological activist organizations, says Mr. Ditch. As long as these organizations have access to substantial financial resources from American taxpayers, they will continue to promote their agenda.
Even during the administration of former President Donald Trump, grants were awarded to left-wing causes, highlighting the continuous stream of funding for political activism. This taxpayer-funded support strengthens the political Left and its influence.
Grants specifically targeting transgender-related causes have seen exponential growth in recent years, according to federal records. From 2008 to 2020, $184 million was allocated to projects involving transgender issues. However, from 2021 to Sep. 12, 2023, a staggering $1.2 billion was distributed for projects related to transgenderism, with at least $104 million directly supporting transgender initiatives.
Children cheer as drag performers dance at the Chattanooga Pride parade in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Oct. 2, 2022. (Jackson Elliott/The Epoch Times)
Left-wing ideological capture extends across almost every federal department, including USAID, NEH, DOE, HHS, DOS, and DOD, as revealed by a federal spending database.
The Biden administration’s requirement for DEI statements (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in grant applications further complicates tracking the exact amount of federal funding allocated to LGBT activism. However, researchers have meticulously analyzed these statements to uncover the increasing expenditure on transgender medical research, LGBT arts festivals, and activism.
The U.S. Capitol building in Washington on Sept. 30, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Grant opportunities are created by left-leaning governments, and federal employees play a significant role in determining which organizations receive funding. The power wielded by these employees is immense, and shifting control towards political neutrality is a complex task.
“The solution is not trying to nudge the federal Leviathan a tenth of a degree toward the right,” asserts Mr. Ditch. Instead, he suggests reducing the amount of money given to federal employees to distribute, thereby limiting their influence.
What measures can be taken to ensure a fair and unbiased process for awarding grants related to LGBT causes, in order to address concerns about transparency and accountability in the federal grant system
Ed for the same purpose, as reported by The Epoch Times.
This significant increase in funding for LGBT causes has raised concerns among conservatives and those who believe that taxpayer money should not be used to advance a particular political or social agenda. Critics argue that these grants are not based on merit or the needs of the American people but rather on the ideological beliefs of those in power.
“It’s fundamentally about who you know, who you’re connected to, and what ideology you hold,” says Mr. Ditch. “There’s no competitive process where you get the best projects with the most innovation, the most benefit for the taxpayer. It’s simply who has the best connections with the people who are doling out the money.”
Furthermore, the allocation of taxpayer funds to controversial and potentially objectionable projects raises concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in the federal grant system. Taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent and whether it aligns with their values and priorities.
While there is undoubtedly a need for government support and resources to address important issues affecting marginalized communities, there should be a fair and unbiased process in place for awarding grants. This process should prioritize the needs of the American people and ensure that taxpayer money is being used effectively and responsibly.
As the debate continues surrounding the federal government’s funding of LGBT causes, it is crucial to examine and evaluate the underlying factors that contribute to this situation. Transparency, accountability, and a fair allocation process are key principles that should be upheld to ensure that taxpayer money is being used in the best interest of all Americans.
Efforts should be made to depoliticize the grant-giving process and reduce the influence of ideological activism within federal agencies. This can be achieved through reforms that promote diversity of thought and perspectives among decision-makers and establish clear criteria for grant selection based on merit and the public interest.
Ultimately, the federal government’s funding of LGBT causes should be a reflection of the diverse needs and concerns of the American people, rather than the outcome of ideological dominance within the bureaucracy. A balanced and fair approach to grant allocation is necessary to ensure that taxpayer money is used responsibly and effectively for the betterment of society as a whole.
By promoting transparency, accountability, and a depoliticized grant process, the federal government can regain the trust of the American people and demonstrate its commitment to serving the public interest.
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