WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers in Texas are airing campaign ads criticizing transgender rights, regardless of whether they’re up or down the ballot. This is a trend seen in other states as well. Republican leaders have defended the ad, saying the issue resonates with voters. LGBTQ+ advocates have condemned the tactic and questioned its effectiveness.
“It’s somehow controversial to say that boys and girls are different, but they are,” the ad, paid for by the Cruz campaign, says, “Boys and Girls.” Colin Allred supports boys who play in girls’ sports. ”
The National Republican Congressional Committee’s first television ad of the season for former Rep. Myra Flores’ new Congressional bid was about gender reassignment treatment. Flores’ opponent, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-McAllen), is being targeted.
“Working hard at a family-owned company, you’ll see Vicente Gonzalez championing the gender transition of his children during a difficult time,” the ad reads.
Democrats say the ads are misleading or false and distract from the issues voters really care about. Republicans have defended this approach.
“This shouldn’t be a partisan issue, but for some reason elected Democrats are trying to make it a partisan issue, and it’s a disservice to them,” said Beau French, chairman of the Tarrant County Republican Party. I think so.”
“This is bipartisan. Most people don’t think men should be allowed to participate in women’s sports,” French continued. “These are just common sense. I think most people, certainly the majority of Republicans, agree with these.”
During his campaign, former President Donald Trump often criticized transgender participation in organized sports and certain gender transition care.
Some LGBTQ+ advocates in Texas don’t believe Republicans can win on this issue and say this is a fear-mongering tactic.
“These are real people, real Texans, and they deserve respect and are being politicized by elected officials who are just desperate because the poll numbers don’t reflect what they want.” “They should not be used as pawns,” Brad Pritchett said. interim chief executive officer of the group Equality Texas;
“Campaigns don’t have a record to run, or they don’t want their record to reflect, so they’re disenfranchising voters by not really influencing them or their day-to-day lives as voters. “I’m trying to distract from the Texan,” Pritchett continued.
Republican-led state legislatures already require student-athletes to play on sports teams that reflect the gender listed on their birth certificates and require transgender youth to undergo puberty blockers and hormone therapy. It is restricted.
Spectrum News 1 recently asked Allred about Cruz’s strategy to focus on transgender issues.
“What I’ve supported is basically protecting people and making sure they’re not discriminated against based on their sexual identity, who they love, how they identify,” Allred said.
Meanwhile, in response to an ad from the National Republican Congressional Committee, Mr. Gonzalez called Mr. Flores “Maira Mentilas,” or “Maira the Liar,” in Spanish.
“Myra Mentilas strikes again. I have never supported tax dollars for gender transition surgery, and I never will,” Gonzalez said.
“Voters will not be fooled by baseless and hopeless lies about Vicente Gonzalez’s record. Mayra Flores will vote against lowering health care and drug costs, threatening Social Security and Medicare. But Vicente Gonzalez is working every day to lower costs for Valley families,” said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Laurin Phanguyen.