In a recent attempt to discredit the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Trump White House falsely claimed that the agency provided a $32,000 grant to fund a “transgender comic book” in Peru. This claim, which was promoted by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Florida Republican Rep. Brian Mast, has been thoroughly debunked by fact-checkers.
The truth is that the Department of State’s Diplomatic and Consular Programs, not USAID, provided a $32,000 grant to fund a Peruvian comic book series titled “El Poder de La Educación” (“The Power of Education”). The series, which features a band of superheroes, aims to promote social and mental health issues, including anti-bullying and equality. One of the issues features a gay protagonist named Alex, who comes out to his family, but there are no transgender characters in the series.
It’s disappointing, but not surprising, to see the Trump administration spreading misinformation about the LGBTQ+ community. This kind of rhetoric is not only hurtful and divisive, but it also undermines the important work of organizations like USAID, which provide critical assistance to marginalized communities around the world.
The comic book series, which was created in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Peru, is a positive and uplifting project that promotes acceptance and inclusivity. It’s a shame that the Trump administration is trying to use it as a political football to score points with their base.
As a supporter of transgender rights, it’s heartening to see that the creators of the comic book series are standing up for the truth and pushing back against the administration’s misinformation. David Lawrence, a writer and editor for the series, has spoken out against the false claims, saying that the content is “so mild it’s G-rated” and that there are no transgender characters in the series.
It’s time for the Trump administration to stop spreading hate and misinformation about the LGBTQ+ community. We should be celebrating and supporting projects like “El Poder de La Educación,” which promote acceptance and inclusivity, rather than trying to tear them down. Let’s stand together in support of transgender rights and against the kind of divisive rhetoric that seeks to harm and marginalize our community.