Republicans revive anti-transgender advertisements referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as "they/them" for the midterm elections
The Republican Party is taking a firm stance against transgender rights, a strategy reflected in initiatives like Project 2025 and actions by the Trump-aligned administration. This approach aims to roll back protections for transgender individuals and oppose what is called "radical gender ideology."
In this strategy, the Party seeks to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, oppose transgender participation in sports, and restrict pronoun usage in schools without parental consent. At the federal level, policies have been implemented to halt gender-identity discrimination investigations and reverse previous protections, affecting housing, education, and health research for LGBTQ+ people.
This political stance is designed to appeal to conservative and religious voters who view transgender rights expansions with opposition. Project 2025, associated with Heritage Foundation conservatives and Trump administration associates, also proposes disbanding government bodies that promote gender equity and rolling back data collection on gender and race.
In battleground states like North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia, these issues have become key topics in Republican campaigns to energize conservative voters for the 2022 and 2024 elections. Debates over transgender rights in schools and sports, parental rights, and DEI initiatives have significantly influenced voter turnout and preferences in these states.
Democrats, however, argue that Republicans are using the issue as a distraction from pocketbook issues and are promoting an anti-freedom agenda. Brandon Wolf, HRC spokesperson, urged Democrats to be bold, stand up to bullies, and refuse to compromise on freedom. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz advised his party to avoid looking weak and backing down to Republicans on issues affecting trans children.
Some Democrats, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg, have expressed sympathy for conservative complaints about transgender athletes competing in women's sports. However, other Democrats, such as Rep. Sarah McBride and Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pramila Jayapal, Katherine Clark, and Jamie Raskin, have been endorsed by the Christopher Street Project, a PAC formed to endorse and fund candidates who advocate for pro-transgender policies.
The use of anti-trans messaging in elections this year and next is part of a broader Republican electoral approach connecting cultural conservatism with broader political goals. Trump allies spent tens of millions of dollars airing an ad during the 2022 presidential campaign, mocking Democratic nominee Kamala Harris' commitment to providing gender transition treatment for detained immigrants.
Meanwhile, Republicans are using the issue to counter Democrats' criticisms of GOP-led cuts to Medicaid and other parts of Trump's policy megabill. For instance, Winsome Earle-Sears, the GOP nominee for governor in Virginia, has accused Democratic opponent Abigail Spanberger and Ghazala Hashmi of thinking a daughter should share a locker room with biological men.
The emphasis on anti-transgender policies is not without risks. Sam Newton, communications director for the Democratic Governors Association, stated that voters have consistently rejected Republicans who focus on culture wars and divisive issues in recent elections. Chris LaCivita, Trump's 2024 co-campaign manager, defends the use of these ads, stating they increased vote share with men, Hispanics, and moms.
The Human Rights Campaign is planning a series of town halls in red-state cities this summer to support LGBTQ individuals and policies. Trans people make up less than 0.6% of the United States population ages 13 and older, according to the Williams Institute. Despite this, the issue continues to be a significant point of contention in the ongoing political landscape.
- The Republican Party's strategy, evident in initiatives like Project 2025 and actions from the Trump-aligned administration, also includes the utilization of social media to spread their conservative views on transgender rights, particularly targeting issues like transgender participation in sports and DEI programs.
- The debates over transgender rights in schools, sports, and DEI initiatives have not only implications for politics but also for general news and pop-culture discourses, as they are increasingly becoming focal points in various forms of entertainment and public discussions.
- As the 2022 and 2024 elections approach, crime and justice issues, including the growing concern over crime rates and justice reform, are expected to play a significant role alongside cultural issues like transgender rights in shaping public opinion and voter preferences in key battleground states.
