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In recent discussions, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and prominent Democrat Pete Buttigieg has addressed the contentious issue of allowing biological males to compete in women’s and girls’ sports. After expressing concerns about fairness during a July NPR interview, Buttigieg revisited the topic in a Substack Live interview with Aaron Parnas, emphasizing the importance of listening to parents who oppose this inclusion.
Buttigieg stated, "In order to bring people together on this issue, we must take everyone seriously, including parents who have questions." He acknowledged that inquiries about fairness in sports are valid and deserve thoughtful engagement.
During the conversation, Buttigieg cautioned against the Democratic Party’s tendency to "finger-wag" at voters. He noted, "People who have questions about what this means for fairness should be heard, and we need to address these concerns collectively."
The former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, expressed his belief that the debate surrounding trans athletes is being manipulated for political gain, which he sees as particularly harmful to transgender individuals and their families. "This issue is being used to divide and hurt people, especially those in the trans community," he remarked. "It’s distressing for trans individuals and their loved ones to witness their identities being treated as political issues."
Buttigieg’s earlier remarks on NPR sparked criticism from some liberals and pro-trans activists, highlighting the ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party on this topic. He joins a growing list of prominent Democrats and commentators, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Rep. Seth Moulton, who have voiced reservations about allowing males to compete in female sports.
A report from The New York Times revealed that President Biden himself has reservations about transgender athletes participating in competitive sports. The report indicated a split within the administration regarding Title IX protections and whether they should extend to sports. Some officials argued that allowing transgender students to compete in alignment with their gender identity posed unique challenges due to the competitive nature of sports.
A recent New York Times/Ipsos survey found that a significant majority of Americans, including many Democrats, oppose allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports. The survey revealed that 79% of respondents believe biological males identifying as women should not participate in women’s sports. Among Democrats or those leaning Democratic, 67% agreed with this stance.
This issue has emerged as a pivotal factor in the 2024 election, influencing voter sentiment. A national exit poll conducted by the Concerned Women for America (CWA) legislative action committee indicated that 70% of moderate voters consider the debate over transgender athletes in sports and bathrooms to be important, with 6% deeming it the most critical issue.
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Jackson Thompson is a seasoned sports writer for Fox News Digital, previously contributing to ESPN and Business Insider. With experience covering major events like the Super Bowl and NBA Finals, he has interviewed iconic athletes such as Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, and Jerry Rice.
