Staff Reports
The Biden administration continues to prioritize spending taxpayer dollars in unique ways, with the latest move involving a six-figure grant handed to the University of Cincinnati by the Department of Health and Human Services. This grant, which amounts to a cool $213,878, is specifically aimed at developing an app to help transgender individuals deal with what they describe as “voice dysphoria.” Apparently, this new app will serve as the ultimate fix for those who feel their voices don’t match their gender identity.
Voice dysphoria, as defined by HHS, causes distress for individuals who may struggle with their vocal pitch not aligning with their perceived gender. To illustrate this, they brought up the scenario of “trans women with deep voices,” implying that such individuals require urgent intervention. The University of Cincinnati’s researchers have been tasked with creating software that combines biofeedback data with specific vocal exercises to help users reach a more “gender-affirming” pitch. One can only ponder what this technology could have accomplished if it were used to help those struggling with real health issues instead of fashioning tools for vocal tweaks.
"Biden administration bankrolled development of app to help transgender people deal with ‘voice dysphoria’" – Washington Examiner #SmartNews https://t.co/R6rZF2ac4B
— Joe Honest Truth (@JoeHonestTruth) December 2, 2024
To test this app’s effectiveness, researchers will randomly assign participants to either utilize the new app or an existing one. A study with just 40 participants certainly brings a wide spectrum of accuracy into question, but who wouldn’t want to contribute to this “research”? After all, the Biden administration seems to believe that the voice a person has is a valid issue to spend over $200,000 resolving. But, given the current economy, it raises eyebrows as to why these funds aren’t instead used for more pressing matters affecting the average American.
This funding is part of the administration’s broader agenda under President Biden, who hasn’t been shy about pushing federal resources into transgender programs. From an executive order aimed at combating discrimination against transgender individuals to another calling for increased federal spending on LGBTQI+ mental health projects, the administration is making it clear where its priorities lie. The appointment of Rachel Levine, a biological man identifying as a woman, as the assistant secretary of HHS underscores this commitment and speaks volumes about how the Biden administration defines “women’s health care.”
Just as the laughter subsides from one outrageous funding initiative, another emerges, as illustrated by a recent $400,000 grant awarded to Drexel University to interview transgender individuals in India. These grant recipients were tasked with finding ways to enhance the well-being of this demographic, which unfortunately led to recommendations that included federal funding for sex-change operations. Perhaps the government should consider funding research on more universally relatable issues, such as the rising cost of living or public safety.
While the University of Cincinnati is gearing up to roll out its app to potentially transform voices, one has to wonder how much more wasteful spending and misguided priorities will continue before common sense returns to Washington. It’s hard to imagine that taxpayers are thrilled about the notion of their hard-earned money being funneled into programs like these when basic concerns like inflation and job security remain pressing matters.
