To the editor:

I am writing to express my concern about Congressman Moulton’s recent statements to the media blaming the Democratic defeat on the protection of trans rights in general, and trans youth in particular.

It is the far-right wing of the Republican Party that brought this issue to prominence in political discourse, using it as a wedge issue for centrist voters—far out of proportion to any real impact trans people have on their lives. Keeping this issue prominent in the media is not a winning strategy for Democrats; it only serves to put trans adults and children at greater risk of harm.

Trans people are a tiny, vulnerable minority, easily misunderstood and used for manipulation and distraction. We don’t need our Democratic congressman to do the Republicans’ job for them. He should focus on social and economic issues that make a material difference in his constituents’ lives, not on glib talking points that serve only to stir up fear and anger without reason.

Knowing what name and pronouns to use for someone is a matter of basic politeness. Finding efficient ways to communicate them—like including pronouns in email signatures—is simply for clarity, not for stoking a culture war. This small, practical behavior change does not constitute “chang[ing] our values,” as the congressman said. His conflation of behavior change with values change, and his willingness to throw trans constituents, especially children, under the bus, leaves me concerned that he may not understand what “values” truly mean.

Sincerely,

Shayn Smulyan

Salem