The transgender athlete debate isn't about trans rights

Published March 11, 2021 12:00am ET



Much like the abortion debate, the transgender rights debate tends to operate at the two polar-opposite ends of the spectrum. Democrats fear that Republicans will refuse to even respect the chosen name of a transgender adult, while Republicans fear that Democrats want to pump preteens with puberty blockers. But the average population is in broader agreement on trans issues as it pertains to adults.

The majority of Republicans report that they would be comfortable having a close friend come out as transgender, and GOP support for transgender adults serving in the military is on the rise. But one hot-button issue has broad opposition, even among Democrats: whether transgender athletes should be allowed to participate in women's sports.

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