Evan Greer on why Dems should stay strong on trans rights
"I wish more Democrats would ask themselves, 'How can we stand for more?' instead of 'How can we stand for less?'"
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Evan Greer, a transgender rights activist and deputy director of the nonprofit tech advocacy group Fight for the Future, spoke out forcefully against Nancy Mace’s ugly transphobia, and she wishes more Democrats would do the same.
During a “Summit on the Future of the Internet” at Georgetown on November 21, Greer interrupted the event to confront Mace, who was on stage as part of a panel discussion.
“We have had dozens of trans people die this year because of the hate and lies that you are spreading,” Greer told her, as she was escorted out by security.
Tellingly, Mace responded by misgendering Greer and with a crude remark about her genitals. Watch the whole exchange below.
Greer’s willingness to call out increasingly blatant Republican transphobia stands in contrast to Democrats like Reps. Seth Moulton and Tom Suozzi, both of whom responded to the party’s dismal showing during last month’s election by suggesting Dems should rethink their support for trans rights.
“Civil rights were not a winning issue during the Civil Rights Movement,” Greer told us. “It was an uphill battle. That doesn’t mean fighting for civil rights was wrong. Democrats like Moulton are just asking the wrong question. Are we a majoritarian country, or are we supposed to be protecting people and fighting for what’s right?”
Public Notice contributor Thor Benson connected with Greer to talk about her confrontation with Mace, Dems learning the wrong lessons from Trump’s victory, and the wrongheadedness of trying to find “common ground” with bigots.
A transcript of their conversation, lightly edited for length and clarity, follows.
Thor Benson
There’s been a big discussion about transgender Americans and bathrooms with Sarah McBride winning a seat in the House and Rep. Nancy Mace trying to ban her from using the women’s restroom in the Capitol. Mace is obviously ridiculous, but there’s also been some criticism of McBride for not pushing back harder against what Mace and Republicans are pushing. What do you make of all this?
Evan Greer
Any time we’re talking about issues of basic human rights, it’s vital to always start by thinking through how we protect the most vulnerable, and we should just be real that no one who is a member of Congress is in that category. It’s important that we fight for policies that protect staffers and civil society advocates and anyone and everyone who might have business at the Capitol, and ensure that they’re going to be safe and can take a piss if they need to [laughs].
I don’t know what it’s like to be Sarah McBride right now. I really wish that more cis straight members of the Democratic Party were speaking up on this and fighting not just for their colleague but for our community. I think we’ve seen some really unfortunate backsliding there. I’m here in Massachusetts, and we have Rep. Seth Moulton who has been spewing rightwing talking points and trying to blame Trump’s win on trans people. It’s embarrassing and not rooted in reality, but it’s also not that surprising to me.
Picking on trans people and other marginalized communities has always been an effective go-to for politicians and others in power who want to sew division in order to strengthen their own standing. It’s incumbent upon all of us to speak up against that and be very clear about where we stand on these pretty basic issues of fundamental human rights.
Thor Benson