This corresponds with a modest, but growing, trend: Democrats are capitalizing on anti-trans hysteria, or otherwise leaning into Republican narratives on so-called culture war issues.
I believe Blake Gendebien has made a serious mistake with this ad. The ad could have made its point without agreeing with his opponent or making a statement about boys competing in girls’ sports.
We have seen Democrats use this kind of messaging before, and I have yet to see evidence that attacking or distancing themselves from transgender people is a strategy that brings them meaningful new support. Instead, it risks alienating voters who believe LGBTQ+ people deserve respect and equal treatment.
The transgender community may be relatively small in numbers, but these are voters, family members, friends, and allies—and they do vote. Political campaigns should think very carefully before telling any community that its rights and dignity are expendable for a campaign message.
One thing that never seems to be adequately explained by politicians who are against trans inclusion in sports, is how they specifically want to enforce this at the school level. Do they want genetic tests? Genital exams? Birth certificate copy procurement? Medical records? All of these have problems and are potentially invasive of privacy. I guess if they are stoking the culture wars, these types of reasonable questions don’t matter too much to them.
And another thing all this response to demagoguery avoids is the fact that transgender girls, given early in life HRT treatment, never develop the musculature of boys and men. It is a rare thing to observe young transgender women with the strength of males. Hell, this even happens in late life when HRT is initiated - muscle tone is just lost. Thus there will never be a brutalization of fellow girl and women athletes by "gorillas" on the playing fields. But, of course, facts and science are no longer chic in this former US of A, a country wherein sheer, overt, and vile hatreds are now de rigueuer.
If/when they pass these laws against us, I, for one, hope they get EVERYTHING they ask for. I want them to be the dog that caught the fucking car. I want invasive genetic testing, genital exams (including pelvic exams to search for that missing cervix!), spot panty checks and/or crotch groping, winning athletes getting challenged, doxxing, victimization by hate propaganda, publicly shaming, getting SURPRISED by genetic test results and "correction" of birth certificates accordingly, having athletic careers abruptly ended. (You know... the usual sort of stuff we go through.) Let's take all the fun out of sports. I want broader society to suffer just as we do, and then they might understand and have a bit more empathy for what we've endured.
Sadly, I fear you might be right- most people just don't seem to care enough about us to stop this culture war. Maybe they'll finally catch a clue when it follows them home and parks itself in their living rooms. They can't say we never warned them it would; we've all been screaming it in their faces for years... it's just too bad that the people who actually deserve it won't be the ones suffering. They never are.
Yes to all of the above methods being proposed to test for gender. There is initiative 638 on the ballot in Washington state. Hopefully it will be soundly defeated.
Rather than helping us educate the population on the REALITIES of trans participation in sports, we're seeing more and more democrats throwing us under the bus as a political expedient. If this tactic actually works, for THEM, I fear that we can expect our post mid-term elections environment to remain much as it is. Clearly, the only people who are going to educate the general population about us, is US.
Maybe there’s a reason to be hopeful though all of this. Not because I support centrist Democrats throwing trans Americans under the bus, but because I’m hearing an echo of 2004. That’s the year Republicans screamed about sanctity of marriage and put anti-gay marriage referendums on as many state ballots as they could to boost conservative turnout. Plenty of centrist Democrats got squishy on gay rights and lost anyway. The hopeful part is that 2004 was the high water mark of gay bashing as a way to drive votes. There are still plenty of gay haters out there, but it won’t work in a campaign ad. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m hopeful that this is the last hurrah for trans-panic as an electoral strategy.
Here in blue Washington State, we have an initiative on the ballot that will require very student who wants to play female sports to verifiy their sex one of three ways-present a certificate from a medical provider that verifies their reproductive anatomy, genetic sex or their normal endogenous testosterone levels. Points given for reasons this is insane. Have at it, friends.
As a trans woman who ran for United States Congress in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District this year, and now running for United States Senate in 2028, I cannot begin to express how incredibly pissed off this crap makes me. He needs to hear from his constituents LOUDLY that this is unacceptable. It is extremely unfortunate that it’s past the primary and he can’t be shoved out. Also, voting for GOP candidates doesn’t help us either. I’ll be emailing him shortly, because he needs to be corrected.
Sorry, not sorry. That is the proper truth that exists here. Anyone who deems it acceptable to burn human rights for one group in an effort to appeal to the inherently incorrect and discriminatory bigotry of another in some disgusting attempt to woo the terf votes is 100% wrong and needs to be corrected.
If he’s going to be as upside down and shitty as to trod out the “boys shouldn’t play in girls’ sports” trash, then he needs to be reminded that transgender women are American citizens who are guaranteed equal rights and treatment under the United States Constitution. He also needs to go read that Constitution, because it seems he’s inexplicably confused about basic human rights and discrimination. And he also needs to be reminded that Republicans shouldn’t run as Democrats. Identifying as Blue Maga is infinitely worse than identifying as trans ever could be, and I’m sure every other minority group in his district would be thrilled to find out just how much of an “advocate” for equality he truly is.
As MAGA/GOP jackhammers the "evil" and "ungodliness" of transgenderism into the American psyche, Democrat candidates feel compelled to respond. Oh, not with courage but, rather, with political enfeeblement. Bravery in the face of brutal fascism is a unique quality that few ever possess. Thus we observe the capitulation of Democrat candidates to the forces of evil simply to make the issue go away. But this issue will not disappear. MAGA/GOP will not let it be so because their goal is the utter and final annihilation of transgenderism, the unconditional destruction of innocent American citizens. And unless defeated, MAGA will assault others they deem weak and abominable. Such is inevitable in a fascistic society. And that we surely are becoming.
D.I.N.O.'s with Dog Whistles. Feed and clothe the hungry, Spend Your precious time on making things better for everyone. Let Trans and L.G.B.T.Q.+ live Their lives.
I live in the district. His response is unexpected. On a public meeting I asked him about his support of the trans community. He said he was a supporter and ally. Now I think he does not understand the issues and my community. I will still vote for him. He can be educated as to his error.
Solidarity, Branwen! I’m in the district, too. After getting through the Stefanik years, I really don’t want to see Constantino in office. Lesser evil doesn’t feel good, but maybe we’ll be a little closer to the finish line w Gendebien.
If I might suggest: Sure, vote for him as a lesser evil. However, don't fool yourself that he doesn't understand and needs education. He understands very well. They all do. If he wins, let him know (and keep reminding him) that it was with your trans vote helping him, but you EXPECT him to change his ways, or you will be hell-bent on supporting his primary opponent in 2028, who you hope will be a trans person - quite possibly even YOU.
FFS... I feel like I lose a few more brain cells every time I hear about another Democrat picking up right-wing transphobia as a campaign strategy. This shit isn't even working for 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘴 anymore; why the fuck do these absolute nincompoops think it's going to work for 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮?
Even right-wing groups are recommending reducing the ad spend in the next five weeks on anti-Trans political ads, because they're concerned it makes Republicans look out of touch with gas approaching $6 and diesel rapidly heading for $8.
But they have no choice but to follow Trump and he's going full anti-Trans in his ad buys now that he's finally letting his PAC and the RNC spend money, even though candidates and Dem PACs have already nabbed a lot of the premium adspace.
I do wish they would stop throwing 1% of the population under the school bus!!!!!!!
Such a disheartening trend. Sacrificing our kids' safety and well-being is neither ethical nor progressive.
I believe Blake Gendebien has made a serious mistake with this ad. The ad could have made its point without agreeing with his opponent or making a statement about boys competing in girls’ sports.
We have seen Democrats use this kind of messaging before, and I have yet to see evidence that attacking or distancing themselves from transgender people is a strategy that brings them meaningful new support. Instead, it risks alienating voters who believe LGBTQ+ people deserve respect and equal treatment.
The transgender community may be relatively small in numbers, but these are voters, family members, friends, and allies—and they do vote. Political campaigns should think very carefully before telling any community that its rights and dignity are expendable for a campaign message.
One thing that never seems to be adequately explained by politicians who are against trans inclusion in sports, is how they specifically want to enforce this at the school level. Do they want genetic tests? Genital exams? Birth certificate copy procurement? Medical records? All of these have problems and are potentially invasive of privacy. I guess if they are stoking the culture wars, these types of reasonable questions don’t matter too much to them.
And another thing all this response to demagoguery avoids is the fact that transgender girls, given early in life HRT treatment, never develop the musculature of boys and men. It is a rare thing to observe young transgender women with the strength of males. Hell, this even happens in late life when HRT is initiated - muscle tone is just lost. Thus there will never be a brutalization of fellow girl and women athletes by "gorillas" on the playing fields. But, of course, facts and science are no longer chic in this former US of A, a country wherein sheer, overt, and vile hatreds are now de rigueuer.
If/when they pass these laws against us, I, for one, hope they get EVERYTHING they ask for. I want them to be the dog that caught the fucking car. I want invasive genetic testing, genital exams (including pelvic exams to search for that missing cervix!), spot panty checks and/or crotch groping, winning athletes getting challenged, doxxing, victimization by hate propaganda, publicly shaming, getting SURPRISED by genetic test results and "correction" of birth certificates accordingly, having athletic careers abruptly ended. (You know... the usual sort of stuff we go through.) Let's take all the fun out of sports. I want broader society to suffer just as we do, and then they might understand and have a bit more empathy for what we've endured.
Sadly, I fear you might be right- most people just don't seem to care enough about us to stop this culture war. Maybe they'll finally catch a clue when it follows them home and parks itself in their living rooms. They can't say we never warned them it would; we've all been screaming it in their faces for years... it's just too bad that the people who actually deserve it won't be the ones suffering. They never are.
Yes to all of the above methods being proposed to test for gender. There is initiative 638 on the ballot in Washington state. Hopefully it will be soundly defeated.
Rather than helping us educate the population on the REALITIES of trans participation in sports, we're seeing more and more democrats throwing us under the bus as a political expedient. If this tactic actually works, for THEM, I fear that we can expect our post mid-term elections environment to remain much as it is. Clearly, the only people who are going to educate the general population about us, is US.
Maybe there’s a reason to be hopeful though all of this. Not because I support centrist Democrats throwing trans Americans under the bus, but because I’m hearing an echo of 2004. That’s the year Republicans screamed about sanctity of marriage and put anti-gay marriage referendums on as many state ballots as they could to boost conservative turnout. Plenty of centrist Democrats got squishy on gay rights and lost anyway. The hopeful part is that 2004 was the high water mark of gay bashing as a way to drive votes. There are still plenty of gay haters out there, but it won’t work in a campaign ad. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m hopeful that this is the last hurrah for trans-panic as an electoral strategy.
Here in blue Washington State, we have an initiative on the ballot that will require very student who wants to play female sports to verifiy their sex one of three ways-present a certificate from a medical provider that verifies their reproductive anatomy, genetic sex or their normal endogenous testosterone levels. Points given for reasons this is insane. Have at it, friends.
I’m counting on the voters to soundly defeat this initiative.
As a trans woman who ran for United States Congress in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District this year, and now running for United States Senate in 2028, I cannot begin to express how incredibly pissed off this crap makes me. He needs to hear from his constituents LOUDLY that this is unacceptable. It is extremely unfortunate that it’s past the primary and he can’t be shoved out. Also, voting for GOP candidates doesn’t help us either. I’ll be emailing him shortly, because he needs to be corrected.
Sorry, not sorry. That is the proper truth that exists here. Anyone who deems it acceptable to burn human rights for one group in an effort to appeal to the inherently incorrect and discriminatory bigotry of another in some disgusting attempt to woo the terf votes is 100% wrong and needs to be corrected.
If he’s going to be as upside down and shitty as to trod out the “boys shouldn’t play in girls’ sports” trash, then he needs to be reminded that transgender women are American citizens who are guaranteed equal rights and treatment under the United States Constitution. He also needs to go read that Constitution, because it seems he’s inexplicably confused about basic human rights and discrimination. And he also needs to be reminded that Republicans shouldn’t run as Democrats. Identifying as Blue Maga is infinitely worse than identifying as trans ever could be, and I’m sure every other minority group in his district would be thrilled to find out just how much of an “advocate” for equality he truly is.
Time for me to send some emails.
Contact his office: info@blakeforny.com
As MAGA/GOP jackhammers the "evil" and "ungodliness" of transgenderism into the American psyche, Democrat candidates feel compelled to respond. Oh, not with courage but, rather, with political enfeeblement. Bravery in the face of brutal fascism is a unique quality that few ever possess. Thus we observe the capitulation of Democrat candidates to the forces of evil simply to make the issue go away. But this issue will not disappear. MAGA/GOP will not let it be so because their goal is the utter and final annihilation of transgenderism, the unconditional destruction of innocent American citizens. And unless defeated, MAGA will assault others they deem weak and abominable. Such is inevitable in a fascistic society. And that we surely are becoming.
Why would transphobes vote for transphobia-lite when they can have the full-fat version?
D.I.N.O.'s with Dog Whistles. Feed and clothe the hungry, Spend Your precious time on making things better for everyone. Let Trans and L.G.B.T.Q.+ live Their lives.
I live in the district. His response is unexpected. On a public meeting I asked him about his support of the trans community. He said he was a supporter and ally. Now I think he does not understand the issues and my community. I will still vote for him. He can be educated as to his error.
Solidarity, Branwen! I’m in the district, too. After getting through the Stefanik years, I really don’t want to see Constantino in office. Lesser evil doesn’t feel good, but maybe we’ll be a little closer to the finish line w Gendebien.
If I might suggest: Sure, vote for him as a lesser evil. However, don't fool yourself that he doesn't understand and needs education. He understands very well. They all do. If he wins, let him know (and keep reminding him) that it was with your trans vote helping him, but you EXPECT him to change his ways, or you will be hell-bent on supporting his primary opponent in 2028, who you hope will be a trans person - quite possibly even YOU.
When he loses, who is he going to blame?
Us, of course.
FFS... I feel like I lose a few more brain cells every time I hear about another Democrat picking up right-wing transphobia as a campaign strategy. This shit isn't even working for 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘴 anymore; why the fuck do these absolute nincompoops think it's going to work for 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮?
Even right-wing groups are recommending reducing the ad spend in the next five weeks on anti-Trans political ads, because they're concerned it makes Republicans look out of touch with gas approaching $6 and diesel rapidly heading for $8.
But they have no choice but to follow Trump and he's going full anti-Trans in his ad buys now that he's finally letting his PAC and the RNC spend money, even though candidates and Dem PACs have already nabbed a lot of the premium adspace.
What a maroon.
Jesusfuckingchrist if these chuds are happy to walk with MAGA on LGBT ….
They will never, CAN never be “on your side” for anything else.
Rapeublicans MAGA owns : pro-corruption, pro-rape, Anti worker, Anti trans, anti equality.
Any candidate who agrees with them on ANY point can never be trusted.