In a recent interview with NBC News’s Hallie Jackson, Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her unwavering support for LGBTQ+ rights. However, she faced scrutiny over her stance on access to gender-affirming care.
Despite this, Harris remained steadfast in her belief in equality and respect for all individuals. This came amidst a wave of anti-transgender attack ads from former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign.
When asked by Jackson about whether transgender Americans should have access to gender-affirming care, Harris responded by saying, “That is a decision that doctors will make in terms of what is medically necessary.”
It is important to note that every major medical association, including the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association, has emphasized that gender-affirming care is medically indicated and necessary.
Harris expressed criticism towards Trump’s campaign for heavily focusing on attacking transgender rights in their attack ads, stating that it serves as a diversion from more substantial issues.
Harris pointed out that Trump is running ads worth tens of millions of dollars to discuss two cases, in an attempt to distract from the fact that his policy and plan also involves taking away the Affordable Care Act.
Trump’s campaign ads are spreading misinformation about gender-affirming care and attempting to paint Harris as extreme on the issue. These widely aired ads, particularly in battleground states, primarily target transgender athletes, gender-neutral bathrooms, and healthcare access for incarcerated transgender individuals. It is important to note that the Trump administration already provided such access to people in government custody as mandated by law.
During the interview, Jackson challenged Harris on the apparent inconsistency between her previous message of support for transgender individuals and her current remarks. In response, Harris reaffirmed her belief in treating all people with dignity and respect, emphasizing that no one should be condemned or criticized based on their identity.
In the lead-up to the election, Republicans have invested over $65 million in advertisements criticizing transgender rights, aiming to mobilize conservative voters by portraying Democrats as disconnected from traditional values.
According to polling data, it appears that the strategy employed by Trump’s campaign may not achieve the desired effectiveness.
A voter poll conducted by GLAAD in March revealed that a majority of voters, accounting for 53 percent, are against candidates who prioritize limiting healthcare and sports participation for transgender youth.
Furthermore, an overwhelming 81 percent of voters believe that healthcare decisions for transgender youth should be made by parents, not politicians.