The College Fix

New KU initiative ‘just another example of how the left co-opts public institutions to advance their ideological agenda,’ activist says

The University of Kansas launched a new “Trans Studies Initiative” this school year to “study questions of trans life” and host events for LGBTQ students.

One conservative activist told The College Fix that the new program is being used to advance an “ideological agenda.” However, the state legislature has the potential to intervene.

The initiative seeks to create a “network of interdisciplinary engagement” through “coursework, a lecture series, a fellowship program, community grants, and the publication of TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly,” according to its website.

“We study questions of trans life, trans theorizing, and trans materiality across epistemological and ontological bounds,” the description states.

The program, funded by a $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation, will partner with the school’s Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity to organize social events and activities for LGBTQ students.

The new initiative is “just another example of how the left co-opts public institutions to advance their ideological agenda,” Paul Dupont, the communications director for the American Principles Project, told The College Fix via email.

“We’re also seeing it in the federal government, federal agencies,” Dupont said.

This is because progressive activists are good at getting into taxpayer-funded institutions and using them to “affect the national conversation” and “push their agenda through all areas of society and culture,” he said.

“It’s unfortunate to see this happening in Kansas of all places, but this is something that happens in blue states, red states, everywhere. I mean, this is just what the left does,” he said.

MORE: Boston U. students to study ‘gender fluid angels’ in ‘Medieval Trans Studies’ class

The College Fix also reached out to KU, the Mellon Foundation, and the Trans Studies Initiative for comment on the new program’s goals in the last week. None responded.

Dupont said the state legislature could potentially pass a law barring public education institutions from having programs that promote left-wing gender ideology.

However, such a law “would require a higher level of support because you have a Democrat governor there,” he said.

While Republicans hold supermajorities in the Kansas Legislature, the state has had a Democratic governor since 2019.

The legislature has been able to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s vetoes on numerous occasions, including a bill banning men from competing in women’s sports. However, Kelly has also been able to veto other transgender-related legislation, including a bill that would have banned “gender-affirming” treatments for minors.

Due to Kansas law, Kelly will term out as the state’s governor at the beginning of 2027. This means a gubernatorial election will take place in the 2026 midterms to determine her replacement. Dupont said this is a perfect opportunity for Kansans and organizations to get involved and support a candidate who will side with the legislature on the issue of transgenderism in higher education.

“Sometimes the most effective way of getting legislators to act on something is showing that there’s popular support for it, which you can do through elections,” he said.

“One easy way to make sure that this becomes a priority is to get the Republican candidate for governor and Republican candidates for other offices to make this a campaign issue” and make Democrats “answer ‘why are you supporting this, because Kansas voters don’t support this?’” he said.

If voters put pressure on Democrats, they may “take action on it to try to save their own seat,” Dupont said.

MORE: UConn invites trans people to train med students in ‘gender-affirming care’

IMAGE: AP Archive/Youtube

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