The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) has awarded a grant of up to $5 million to two psychologists who are pioneering an identity-affirming eating disorder treatment for LGBTQ+ people. Auburn University Assistant Professor of Psychological Sciences Tiffany Brown and San Diego State University Professor of Psychology Aaron Blashill developed the Promoting Resilience to Improve Disordered Eating (PRIDE) program to address the identity-related stressors that they believe increase the risk of developing eating disorders something routine treatments today reportedly do not account for. Related Eating disorders affect a disturbingly high number of LGBTQ youth Researchers also uncovered an alarming link between eating disorders and suicide. Even when available, many LGBTQIA+ people across the country feel uncomfortable accessing treatment, for fear of discrimination or lack of understanding, Brown told the liberal arts magazine at Auburn. That is why we are so excited and honored to receive this grant from the NIMH to evaluate a treatment that integrates approaches that affirm and support LGBTQIA+ identities. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today According to the publication, LGBTQ+ people are not only three times as likely to develop an eating disorder but are also more likely than non-LGBTQ+ people to quit treatment.NIMH awarded the grant after an initial study using the PRIDE program saw a 75% remission rate in eating disorders. The program is virtual, making it accessible nationwide.The conservative outlet Daily Caller mocked the Biden administrations support of the program and said that Trumps incoming administration could be poised to crack down on Bidens LGBTQIA+ agenda. [with] the creation of a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).Indeed, anti-trans billionaire Elon Musk will co-lead DOGE with anti-LGBTQ+ entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Despite its name, the group is merely a nongovernmental advisory commission that can only make recommendations to federal officials rather than make any actual changes. Musk and Ramaswamy will make suggestions on which federal departments and roles to defund, though any defunding may first require congressional approval. And according to the Daily Caller, it is programs like PRIDE that are at risk of being left behind. It quoted Musk declaring, The woke mind virus consists of creating very, very divisive identity politics[that] amplifies racism; amplifies, frankly, sexism; and all of the -isms while claiming to do the opposite. It actually divides people and makes them hate each other and hate themselves.An op-ed in The Hill warned of the dangers DOGE could bring, explaining, The idea that slashing federal agencies is a magic bullet for achieving good governance is as wrong-headed as it is simplistic. The writers said conservatives often use inefficiency as an all-purpose invective against government, often used tojustifyaggressive efforts to cut back programs that benefit millions of Americans.They added that making programs more efficient means making policymakers unaccountable to the American people because it dismantles the levels of authority designed to ensure regulatory effectiveness. The effort also disregards the fact that federal authority to address social problems is often desirable and necessary, they added, and that federal efforts to handle these matters are more efficient than devolving them to the states. The choice between centralized or decentralized authority requirescareful consideration of trade-offsbetween efficiency, effectiveness and accountability.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.