Post

The answer I'd *like* to hear from a Dem candidate when asked about sports and trans folks: "You know, there are the same number of dragons dying of fentanyl overdose as there are trans women trying to play professional sports. Can you ask a real question?"

63 reposts318 likes

The best answer is "This is politics. Sports are games. Unless the sports leagues are doing something that violates the law, we don't need to step in. Play what you want, be who you want. It shouldn't matter to anyone but you."

Except for the fact that the sports issue is statistically a total nonissue. The only real question is: “Do you think a small, vulnerable group of humans deserves to be treated as humans?” If that’s a losing issue, then I wouldn’t want to be on the “winning” team. Best to you.

But… what if/when there IS a trans woman seeking to play professional sports? I personally don’t like the “it hasn’t happened, so it’s not an issue” response, as it doesn’t actual defend a moral value. It’s like when the SCOTUS punts with a “you don’t have standing” decision.

I agree with you. But corporate media‘s need to “gotcha” democrats only by posing hypotheticals that have nothing to do with the real world as it exists now needs to be called out. EL-Sayed has been good at this. Talarico has not been.

Also, one could argue “if there are no trans women attempting to play in pro womens sports, than why the pushback for leagues that want to codify a ban?” I.e. who cares if a restaurant says “no dragons high on fentanyl will be served here.”

I work in rec hockey. USA Hockey enforces a Participant Eligibility Policy that bars transgender women from participating in sex-restricted female hockey categories. Pros sports isn’t “real world”. Dems need a unified statement of value. If fear of “gotcha” is too much, call it quits.

I do think this is a good constructive critique. Few handle the framing of these questions well. Few are equipped enough to push back. Im open to this being imperfect, but I support a dialogue that doesnt open the door to misinformation and false evidence being dumped on the candidate in response