SALEM — A large gathering of LGBTQ+ organizations, local officials, and community advocates held a rally Sunday outside U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton’s district office in Salem to stand in solidarity with the transgender community.
Public officials and speakers from organizations such as the North Shore Alliance of GLBTQ Youth (NAGLY), Newburyport Pride, Baystate Stonewall Dems, the North Shore LGBT Network, and Witch City Punks Against Hate, emphasized the need for local leaders to stand with the LGBTQ+ community in the wake of the presidential election.
In addition to celebrating transgender awareness week, the rally was held in response to Moulton’s recent remarks about transgender athletes participating in women’s sports.
In an interview with the New York Times, reflecting on the outcome of the election, Moulton said: “Democrats spend way too much time trying not to offend anyone rather than being brutally honest about the challenges many Americans face. 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.”
Following the statement, local leaders including Salem Mayor Dominick Pangalo, state Rep. Manny Cruz, and members of the Salem School Committee denounced Moulton’s comments in a letter to parents, saying they “do not reflect our values.”
At Sunday’s rally, protesters holding signs, pride flags, and many wearing T-shirts reading “leave trans kids alone”, echoed this sentiment.
“Comments like that about transgender women in sports make environments unsafe for kids and adults,” said Savannah Hopkins, a member of LGBTeens of Cape Ann. “And there aren’t a lot of transgender people in sports because of comments like this.
“Transgender, genderqueer, and gender-nonconforming people should be free to take up space and be themselves without facing comments like this that condemn them like they are doing something wrong,” Hopkins said.
The rally also had an opportunity for people to write in a guestbook that would later be sent to Moulton’s office, with their thoughts, support, and concerns over the rights of transgender athletes and the broader community.
“The congressman has remained willfully ignorant on this subject, and was therefore unable to talk in a nuanced way, tapping into fear-mongering and extreme language that we have seen used again and again by the right who wants to make us disappear,” Salem School Committee member AJ Hoffman said.
“He harmed vulnerable groups of children, and has shown no remorse, which is unacceptable for an elected representative,” said Hoffman.
Cape Ann Pride, Newburyport Pride, and North Shore Pride released a joint statement on Friday, stating in part: “Transgender youth seek to participate in sports like any other young people — for the joy of personal competition, personal growth, and a sense of belonging.
“Suggesting that their inclusion poses a threat perpetuates harmful misinformation and undermines efforts to build inclusive educational and athletic environments that value, empower, and protect all participants” the statement said.
Following the rally, a spokesperson from Moulton’s office released a brief statement.
“Congressman Moulton has an ironclad record in Congress of supporting policies that protect the LGBTQ+ community, and he has repeatedly stood up against dangerous efforts to undermine those rights,” the statement said. “Democrats must unite to defeat the Trump agenda, so that vulnerable Americans don’t have to live in danger or constant fear of persecution.”
Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202