A substantial USDA grant of $600,000 intended to support research on developing safe menstrual hygiene products was recently rescinded due to its inclusion of transgender men in the study. The grant, titled “Farm to Feminine Hygiene: Enhancing the Textiles Lab for Research, Extension, and Scientific Instrumentation for Teaching at Southern University,” was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture in 2024.

The study aimed to explore the potential health risks associated with synthetic feminine hygiene products and sought to introduce sustainable alternatives using regenerative cotton, wool, and industrial hemp. Additionally, it planned to educate women and girls on menstrual health and reusable products, while also establishing a fiber processing center in Louisiana to support local farmers cultivating fibers for hygiene product production.

Dr. Samii Kennedy Benson, the project lead at Southern University, initiated the research following a 2022 study that raised concerns about toxic heavy metals present in conventional hygiene products. These metals, such as lead and arsenic, could pose health risks, including potential cancer development, from prolonged exposure.

One contentious aspect of the grant was a single sentence acknowledging that transgender men, individuals with masculine gender identities, intersex individuals, and non-binary persons may also menstruate. This mention of transgender men sparked backlash from social conservatives who accused the project of violating a Trump-era executive order prohibiting federal funds from endorsing gender transition.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the grant’s revocation on March 7, attributing the decision to the American Principles Project, a conservative think tank that flagged the inclusion of transgender men in the study. Despite claims that the study focused on transgender men’s menstrual cycles, no concrete evidence supported this assertion. Both the American Principles Project and the USDA failed to substantiate their allegations against the study.

Dr. Benson confirmed the grant’s cancellation but remained unaware of the specific reason until contacted by CBS News. Southern University clarified that the reference to transgender men in the grant was intended to emphasize the project’s potential benefits for all biological women by developing safer feminine hygiene products.

The revocation of grants or contracts due to the inclusion of terms related to diversity, equity, and inclusion has become a recurring issue under the Trump administration. Executive orders have restricted federal funding for projects supporting such initiatives, leading to the removal of information associated with LGBTQ communities or DEI terms from public government platforms.

In conclusion, the withdrawal of the feminine hygiene grant underscores the ongoing challenges faced by inclusive research initiatives and highlights the tensions between scientific exploration and political ideologies surrounding gender identity and health research.