BOSTON – Rep. Seth Moulton is defending controversial remarks that he made about transgender athletes in the wake of the presidential election.
Seth Moulton defends comments on trans athletes Moulton appeared on CNN Sunday and did not back down from his statement.
“We’re losing on issues like this” Congressman Seth Moulton doubled down on the comments after a Veterans Day event in Marblehead on Monday.
But this is an example of a contentious issue that we have to be willing to take on as a Democratic Party,” Moulton told WBZ.
Backlash to Seth Moulton’s statement on trans athletes On Monday, a handful of trans activists and anti-war protesters gathered outside Moulton’s Veterans Day event.
Boston: Rep. After the presidential election, Seth Moulton made some controversial comments about transgender athletes, which he is now defending.
This fall, millions of dollars were spent on anti-trans political advertisements by the campaign of President-elect Donald Trump. Following Trump’s victory, the Massachusetts congressman told The New York Times that “Democrats spend way too much time trying not to offend anyone” and urged the party to take a different stance on transgender issues.
As a Democrat, Moulton told The Times, “I’m supposed to be afraid to say that, but I have two little girls, and I don’t want them to be run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete.”.
Following his remarks in The Times, a senior aide to Moulton resigned, according to the Boston Globe, and protests broke out outside his Salem office.
Seth Moulton argues in favor of remarks about trans athletes.
During his Sunday CNN appearance, Moulton stood by his assertion.
He stated, “Look, I was just talking about one of many issues where Democrats are just out of touch with the majority of Americans in an authentic way as a parent.”. Additionally, despite the fact that my words may not have been exactly correct, I stand by my position. “,”.
Despite the public outcry, Moulton claimed that the great majority of his comments have been “incredibly supportive.”. “.
Congressional colleagues and other Democrats, he said, have told him, “You’re exactly right, Seth, this is our problem.”. Instead of genuinely engaging in discussions about topics that are important to Americans, we attempt to cancel people. “.”.
“We’re losing on things like this.”.
Following a Veterans Day event in Marblehead on Monday, Congressman Seth Moulton reiterated the remarks.
“Most importantly, I’m just attempting to bring up the issue, so I support them. I’m not claiming to know the answers to all of this. It’s outside my expertise. But this is an example of a controversial topic that the Democratic Party must be prepared to address,” Moulton told WBZ. “First, we need to start winning elections because we’re losing on matters like this. Furthermore, if we fail to establish the parameters of the debate, Trump and the radical Republicans will do it for the rest of us. “.
Reactions to Seth Moulton’s remarks regarding transgender athletes.
A small group of anti-war demonstrators and trans activists gathered outside of Moulton’s Veterans Day event on Monday. One of them, Kyle Davis, a city councilor from Salem, is now demanding that Moulton step down.
Davis remarked, “I don’t really know what we’re winning at that point if the Congressman’s theory of change is that we need to sell out and scapegoat every marginalized community in order to win.”.
The anger over his remarks, Moulton told WBZ, validates his argument. “Democrats are obviously out of touch with the majority of Americans on a wide range of issues. And I believe that’s because we preach too much and listen too little,” Moulton remarked.
MassEquality, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, described Moulton’s remarks as “both harmful and factually inaccurate.”. “.”.
In a statement, Executive Director Tanya Neslusan said, “These comments deeply hurt our community, reinforcing negative stereotypes and undermining the dignity of transgender athletes.”. Our goal is to work toward a more knowledgeable and inclusive understanding of transgender issues in sports by interacting with the congressman. “..”.
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts said on social media Sunday that the transgender community has been “scapegoated and dehumanized,” without specifically mentioning Moulton. “,”.
Pressley stated, “I will always stand with trans people and the entire LGBTQ+ community.”. “This congresswoman loves and sees you. “..”.
