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I'll propose Higgs's Theory, so named for the premier who lost an election because he didn't believe it: trans issues are high-salience to a relatively small part of the voting public, but that small part skews heavily pro-trans. Trans people and their allies outnumber the out-and-out bigots

Laef Kucheran

@laef.ca

Focusing on trans issues in a just-asking-questions way doesn't appeal to the pro-trans voters because they see it for what it is: a slippery slope to full-on bigotry. It also doesn't appear to the large portion of the public who agrees with it, because the issue is low-salience for them.

14/9/26, 1:38 am0 reposts2 likes

Laef Kucheran

@laef.ca

14 Sept

The economy is high-salience to everyone which is why it wins elections. Trans rights are high-salience to a group of people who skew younger and will make for good campaign volunteers if you can motivate them

Laef Kucheran

@laef.ca

14 Sept

Also worth noting that it's worthwhile supporting trans rights because it's the right thing to do. It's also politically savvy, because electoral politics is inherently coalitional, and you want trans people and their allies to be strongly in your coalition