Democrats are speaking out for transgender rights in the wake of party infighting over whether support for the trans community lost Kamala Harris the presidency.

Even though Harris barely talked about trans rights during her campaign – to the point where several trans activists were frustrated at her silence on trans issues – some Democrats still believe the party’s willingness to pander to progressive identity groups like trans people led it to be out of touch with voters’ actual concerns.

Related

Two House Democrats say they oppose trans athletes competing against girls & women
They made their statements after Republicans rad anti-trans political ads against several Democratic candidates.

But many elected officials refuse to throw trans people under the bus and have been voicing solidarity with the community.

Your LGBTQ+ guide to Election 2024

Stay ahead of the 2024 Election with our newsletter that covers candidates, issues, and perspectives that matter.
Subscribe to our Newsletter today

“Leave trans kids alone,” wrote lesbian Congresswoman Becca Balint (D-VT) on Saturday.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) declared she will “always stand with trans people and the entire LGBTQ+ community.”

“This Congresswoman sees you and loves you,” she said, reminding her followers that “this election cycle wasn’t the first time we saw the trans community scapegoated and dehumanized.”

Trans activist and journalist Erin Reed responded to Pressley, thanking her.

“Democrats who think the right answer to a $215 million ad campaign demonizing transgender people is to jump to the Republican side are not leading with Democratic values, and it will weigh them down for years to come,” Reed warned.

In another post responding to Pressley, Reed cautioned that Democrats who decide to stop supporting trans rights “will wear that decision like an albatross around their neck, just like the old anti-gay dems,” who she said had to “run from” their anti-marriage equality votes for decades.

Other representatives have voiced support for trans people by directly rebuking Democrats who have tried to abandon them in the wake of Donald Trump’s victory.

After the election, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) both told the New York Times that they did not support trans girls playing on women’s sports teams and accused Democrats of pandering to progressives rather than focusing on fixing Americans’ problems – this despite the fact that both Suozzi and Moulton have historically supported trans rights.

Massachusetts state Rep. Manny Cruz (D) slammed Moulton on X, reminding him he once stood for LGBTQ+ inclusion: “Congressman Moulton, your commitment then was to protecting the LGBTQ community, standing up for their rights, and compassion. Now, on a political whim, our Congressman has betrayed the words he signed onto just last year by scapegoating transgender youth in sports for the failures of the national Democratic party and leaders to win the presidential election.”

Cruz also claimed, “It is this type of hypocrisy from national Democrats that has led the American people to believe that our party is untrustworthy. Your blind spots and hypocrisy are glaring.”

Democratic Salem city Councilor Kyle Davis, called for Moulton’s resignation on X, saying an apology wouldn’t cut it.

Massachusetts state Senator Jamie Eldridge also condemned Moulton and encouraged the state Democratic party to “not abandon our values.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has begun taking action, announcing that he has convened a special legislative session in advance of Trump’s inauguration “to protect California values,” which he made clear includes LGBTQ+ rights.

“The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack — and we won’t sit idle,” Newsom said in a statement. “California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond. We are prepared, and we will do everything necessary to ensure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive.”

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) also spoke out in support of LGBTQ+ people and other vulnerable groups in the wake of Trump’s victory, ensuring residents of the state he would do everything in his power to protect them.

“To anyone who intends to come take away the freedom and opportunity and dignity of Illinoisans, I would remind you that a happy warrior is still a warrior,” Pritzker said. “You come for my people, you come through me.”

“We will continue to advance a positive, productive and inclusive agenda of our own,” he added. “One that brings opportunity to Illinois and helps uplift the nation as a whole.”

Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.