Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton has poked the bear of Democratic righteous indignation, and he appears to be the only Democrat who won’t apologize on demand. Good for him.

Inoffensive vs Brutally Honest

Congressman Seth Moulton

This week the New York Times reported Congressman Moulton as saying, “Democrats spend way too much time trying not to offend anyone rather than being brutally honest about the challenges many Americans face.”

He went on to tell the NYT, “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.”

No, indeed, he was not supposed to say that. It violates the Democrats’ desire to be fair to everyone, regardless of consequences. Also, it gives them a chance to chase a non-issue down a rabbit hole of irrelevance and target one of their own as an offender. (I would say transgressor, but then I might confuse some readers.)

So, here’s the thing: I support Congressman Moulton’s position on this issue—if it actually is an issue. Most Americans actually believe that biological boys should not play girls’ sports, regardless of how they identify.

Americans Have an Opinion

According to the Washington Post, “A 2023 Gallup survey found that 69 percent of Americans said transgender athletes should be allowed to compete only on sports teams that conform with their gender assigned at birth. That’s up from 62 percent in 2021.

Now, when you’re on the opposite side from nearly three quarters of the American public on an issue that affects a very  small minority of the population, you’re in a rabbit hole of irrelevance. Rather than ignore Congressman Moulton’s statement, however, the  Democrats immediately started digging the hole deeper. Outrage! Criticism! Threats of primarying him in 2026! A letter of condemnation! What’s next, The Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog?

So stupid. So over the top. And so tone deaf.

Transgender Ads Mattered

The Republicans spent $65 million on anti-transgender ads in more than a dozen states on this issue, which resonates in Middle America. And if you think transgender athletes didn’t matter in last week’s election, read this article in the New York Times in which young people quoted the Republican advertisement (Kamala is for they/them. President Trump is for you!” as a reason why they voted for Trump.

Two Reasons for Agreeing with Seth Moulton

I agree with Congressman Moulton (and the majority of the American public) for two reasons:

1. Girls have enough negative issues to deal with and obstacles to overcome in their lives and few opportunities to excel at something greater than themselves. Every time a trans-athlete who was born in a male body gets a spot on a girls’ team, it means that a biological girl loses the gender lottery. Once again, she has to step back and make way for a masculine competitor who can exploit biological advantages.

Being bigger, taller, stronger, and faster will get you on a lot of teams but at the expense of someone who might, perhaps, shine in a way otherwise unavailable to her. That overlooked girl will never learn the benefits of teamwork, sportsmanship, fair play, and the finer points of the game. She will also never discover that she has a good foul shot, fast ball, high jump, or breast stroke.

2. It’s unfair to the trans athlete’s team as well as to the opposing teams. The school is putting a biological ringer on the girls’ team that tilts the playing field to their advantage. Some schools would rather forfeit the game by refusing to play a girls’ team that includes a biological male. Who wins in this situation?

Seth Moulton: Transphobic or Supportive?

Some of Congressman Moulton’s critics have accused him of being transphobic and saying something hurtful to the LGBTQIA community. I see him being supportive of biological girls, like his daughters and my grand-daughters. If one under-served group can only succeed by stepping on the opportunities available to another under-served group, no one gains.

Stick to your guns, Congressman Moulton. Don’t let the critics get you down. You are right about this issue as well as the larger issue of Democrats focusing too much on trying not to offend anyone.

Whatever you do, Congressman, don’t cave in to them. The Democrats just lost a critical election big time by pandering to the far left. They can’t afford to continue doing that. You told it like it is and have nothing to apologize for.