CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Transgender rights have again become a focal point in South Carolina’s U.S. Senate race after President Donald Trump used an anti-transgender slur while criticizing Democratic candidate Annie Andrews.
One of Andrews’ opponents, Republican U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, seized on the president’s attack, using it to frame Andrews, who is not transgender, as one of the most “radical” candidates ever nominated in South Carolina.
For Andrews’ part, the doctor turned political hopeful released an ad speaking directly to the camera, saying she “does not support biological men playing women’s sports.” Andrews also said she “doesn’t support gender surgery for minors.”
Andrews’ ad concludes: “Darline Graham lying about me, won’t do a thing for you.”
READ MORE | “‘We have a path to victory’: Annie Andrews stays undaunted in underdog Senate bid.”
Graham pushed back on the president’s choice of words but said his remarks raised concerns about Andrews’ past support for transgender people.
“It’s probably not something that I would have said, not the way that I would have put it, but I think the greater thing is the issue, the focus on the issue,” Graham said in an interview on WYFF on Oct. 7. “It’s very concerning to me that she wants transgender treatments for minors; that’s the bigger thing, that’s the real issue and that’s what I’m concerned about.
“I think it’s more about the issue; it’s just that she’s for transgender treatments for minors; that’s just morally wrong, and I think most conservative people think that.”
In an open letter, 20 LGBTQ+-aligned organizations statewide said the political attacks overlook the dignity and safety of transgender people.
“We condemn the transphobic attacks, slurs, and fear-based political messages that have been used by local, state and national politicians,” the letter reads. “We deserve leaders who support transgender people as whole people worthy of safety, dignity, and care.”
READ MORE | “U.S. Senate candidates address president’s controversial post.”
The politics surrounding transgender people were thrust back into the limelight by the president and several Republicans running in the November midterm elections during the late summer.
Adding to the national discussion was WNBA player Sophie Cunningham, who, in a feature story for ESPNsaid she wanted “to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Within college athletics, transgender people make up less than 0.002% of athletes. And in South Carolina, transgender students have been banned from playing girls’ or women’s sports in public schools and colleges since Gov. Henry McMaster signed the bill into law in 2022.
Outside of athletics, less than 1% of the U.S. population 18 and up identifies as transgender, according to data from the UCLA Williams Institute School of Law. That same data set estimates 0.9% of South Carolina’s adult population identifies as transgender.
The organizations called on candidates and elected officials to treat transgender people with dignity and avoid rhetoric they said can fuel discrimination and violence.
“For transgender people, their families, and those who love and support them, the consequences extend far beyond an election,” the letter reads. “When political leaders normalize language that portrays transgender people as dangerous, deceptive, or less deserving of dignity, they contribute to a climate of isolation, bullying, discrimination, and potential violence. Transgender youth, especially, should not have to bear the consequences of political campaigns conducted at their expense.”
The letter concludes: “We believe South Carolina can be a place where every LGBTQ+ person is treated with dignity, protected from harm, and given the chance to thrive.”
Along with Andrews and Graham, Dr. Kasie Whitener, the Libertarian Party nominee, will be on the ballot Nov. 3.
Source: abcnews4.com
