This year’s Republican National Convention (RNC) saw a strong focus on anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, with several high-profile speakers targeting transgender and non-gender-conforming individuals.
Trump’s Return to RNC
What may have been the most memorable moment from the RNC was Trump’s entrance, accompanied by Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.,” and marked with his official acceptance as the Republican presidential nominee.
The Man They Admire
Referring to the assassination attempt on Trump, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said, “Evil came for the man we admire and love so much.”
Anti-LGBTQ Rhetoric at the RNC
The first night of the RNC saw significant anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene saying in a speech, “Let me state this clearly: There are only two genders.”
Restricting Rights
Comments like these were more than common at the convention as they align with the party’s 2024 platform that aims to restrict transgender rights and gender ideology in schools.
Broader Legal and Social Context
Unfortunately, this seems to be part of a broader trend of conservative legal challenges to school policies that protect LGBTQ+ students from harassment and respect their identities.
Free Speech Cases
In the majority of these lawsuits targeting protections for LGBTQ+ students, they focus on free speech and claims of religious freedom.
Increasing Legislative Efforts
Nationwide, there has also been an increase in legislative efforts to limit the rights of LGBTQ+ people, including access to gender-affirming care and participation in sports.
Criticism of Transgender Participation in Sports
Rep. John James even criticized the inclusion of transgender women in women’s sports, reflecting a broader conservative concern about the impact of transgender athletes on women’s sports.
Sold on Hope
In his speech, John James said, “Our daughters were sold on hope, and now they’re being forced on the playing fields and changing rooms of biological males.”
GOP Platform on Gender Issues
The GOP platform explicitly opposes gender-affirming care and aims to reverse Biden’s changes to Title IX, which they claim undermine protections for women and girls.
Ending Tax Payer Funded Surgeries
Despite transgender individuals making up less than 1% of the population, the GOP’s party platform specifically advocates for ending taxpayer-funded sex change surgeries and gender transition promotions in schools.
The GOP Party Platform
“We will keep men out of women’s sports, ban taxpayer funding for sex change surgeries, and stop taxpayer-funded schools from promoting gender transition,” the party platform states.
Protesters at the RNC
Despite the assassination attempt, political protesters remained undeterred, with Omar Flores, co-chair of Coalition to March on the RNC, stating that their determination to oppose Trump has only increased.
An Imminent Threat
Flores told the Washington Times, “Trump was already polling pretty well, and Trump seemed like a lot more imminent of a threat even before the shooting,” emphasizing the protesters’ concerns.
Protester Sentiments
Kia Thomas, a protester from New Orleans, criticized the DNC for halting their counter-programming at the RNC and expressed her disappointment in their leadership.
Impeding Justice
“Obviously they’re not equally as bad, but I do think that they are also impeding justice. They’re impeding democracy by being so cavalier about what’s going on in this country,” Thomas said about the DNC’s decision.
Determination to Protest
When talking to the Washington Times, Jay Gibbs, a union organizer from north of Milwaukee, highlighted the importance of protesting because “It’s more important for the people to show up and make their voices heard.”
Not Going Back
“We definitely are not going back, regardless of what has happened over the weekend or anytime in the recent past, politically, now, more than ever,” Gibbs added, underscoring the protestors’ commitment.
Fear and Security Concerns
“I was really scared about backlash from Republicans and supporters of Trump. Now that I’m here, I don’t feel that way,” said Kia Thomas, feeling more secure among her fellow demonstrators.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Aaron of L.A. Photography.
