Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton of Massachusetts has criticized his party for supporting transgender athletes in sports, citing concerns about fairness in girls’ sports, despite voting against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act in 2023. Moulton expressed frustration with Democrats’ approach to identity politics while also opposing Republican-backed legislation, which he claimed promotes harmful narratives against transgender individuals. His nuanced stance has drawn backlash from fellow Democrats, some of whom are now seeking to replace him in office.
Key Points
- Rep. Seth Moulton criticized Democrats for supporting transgender athletes in girls’ sports but opposed the 2023 Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.
- Moulton stated he does not support boys playing in girls’ sports and expressed concern for his daughters’ athletic opportunities.
- He argued the Republican-led bill harms transgender children’s mental and physical health and promotes discriminatory narratives.
- Moulton defended his stance as nuanced and called for honest discussions on the issue, while condemning extremes on both sides.
- Backlash from Democrats over his remarks has led to efforts to unseat him in upcoming elections.
Democratic Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton recently scolded his party for supporting transgender athletes despite voting against legislation meant to protect girls sports in 2023.
The representative told the New York Times just after the November election that he did not support boys playing in girls sports and bashed Democrats for leaning into the issue. In April of 2023, Moulton voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act which sought to prevent males who identify as transgender from participating in female sports and activities under Title IX.
“Democrats spend way too much time trying not to offend anyone rather than being brutally honest about the challenges many Americans face,” Moulton said, according to the NYT. “I have two little girls, I don’t want them getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete, but as a Democrat I’m supposed to be afraid to say that.”
Despite his new critiques of the left’s interest in identity politics, Moulton wasted no time bashing Republicans after the bill protecting women’s sports passed the House.
“This bill is part of a broader Republican attack on the rights of transgender people—with detrimental consequences for children’s mental and physical health,” Moulton wrote in an April 2023 press release. “H.R. 734 adds to a dangerous and unfactual narrative that transgender girls are a threat to cisgender girls, which harms trans girls’ ability to socialize with peers, develop friendships, and maintain their mental health.”
“As a father with two young daughters, I am committed to ensuring girls can enjoy equal and safe participation in athletic opportunities,” Moulton continued at the time. “Sport should provide a space for our daughters to develop self-efficacy, confidence, and community. But in the fight to uphold Title IX, we are wrong to single out transgender girls and contribute to discrimination and stigma against them.”
Moulton claimed his position on the subject has not changed when asked about the contradiction.
“I have nuanced views on these issues, and that’s exactly what we need,” Moulton told The Free Press.
Many Democrats have since turned against Moulton over his recent comments, rallying in an effort to replace the congressman in office, according to Fox News.
“We’ve worked so hard at becoming tolerant that we’ve become intolerant,” Moulton said of his party, according to The Free Press.
Moulton did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.