DNC criticized for featuring no trans speakers while shying away from trans issues

For the first time in over a decade, the Democratic National Convention (DNC) did not feature a single trans speaker. Additionally, the event has been called out for failing to feature discussions of trans people.

This came to light when Harvard CyberLaw Clinic instructor and trans activist Alejandra Caraballo posted on X: “This was the first DNC since 2012 to not feature a trans person speaking. ‘We’re not going back’ doesn’t apply to the trans community.”

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This was the first DNC since 2012 to not feature a trans person speaking. "We're not going back" doesn't apply to the trans community.

— Alejandra Caraballo (@Esqueer_) August 23, 2024

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The two prior DNC events were held in 2016 and 2020. In 2016, Sarah McBride, who at the time was national press secretary with the Human Rights Campaign and not yet a state lawmaker, spoke at the convention. In 2020, then-Virginia state Delegate Danica Roem (D) spoke.

McBride was the first out trans primary speaker at a DNC event, and both DNCs had talked in detail about trans issues. However, almost none of the speakers at the DNC this year discussed transgender rights issues. There were only two direct mentions of trans people at a main speaking event: Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, and Sen. Corey Booker (D-NJ) both mentioned trans issues in passing.

However, the DNC this year featured the largest number of LGBTQ+ delegates ever. Delegates are the individuals selected to represent their state or territory in order to officially nominate the presidential candidate. Over 800 delegates out of the total 4,700 were members of the LGBTQ+ community. Of that number, only around 50 were trans, according to the Harris-Walz National LGBTQ+ Engagement Director Sam Alleman. This was reportedly the largest number of trans delegates in history, in spite of making up just 1% of total delegates.

Among those delegates were Congressional candidate Sarah McBride, Maine LGBTQ+ advocate Gia Drew, drag queen John Hellman (also known as Belle Pepper), and Dr. Joeigh Perella, a New Jersey county official.

Another update: more than 50 trans and non-binary delegates were elected to nominate Kamala Harris — the most ever sent to a DNCC!

— Sam Alleman (he/him) (@SamAlleman) August 19, 2024

Perella also had a brief speaking role during the New Jersey delegate roll call, however this was not a main speaking role and her speech lasted less than a minute. She spoke about making New Jersey and America as a whole a safe place for LGBTQ+ individuals.

The Democratic platform this year states the party’s commitment to transgender rights and desire to oppose restrictions on transgender healthcare.

The Republican National Convention (RNC), on the other hand, openly attacked trans people in multiple speeches, including those by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). Additionally, Eric Trump made remarks disparaging trans people, and former President Donald Trump (R) made an offhand attack on trans people.

Republicans have pushed transgender-related culture wars in the country, resulting in an influx of anti-trans bills introduced across the United States. Many of these bills have been targeting gender-affirming care for minors, with some states instituting bans on the practice. This has led thousands of trans people to flee their home states for other states that present themselves as trans-friendly. 

A representative from the DNC sent LGBTQ Nation a statement via email:

The 2024 Democratic National Convention has been one of the most inclusive in history. We had more than 50 trans and non-binary folks elected as delegates. This has been part of a very intentional effort started in 2022 to increase trans participation and access at the DNC.

The DNC started the trans advisory committee to create a working group of members from the community to build out engagements and provide input on how we authentically include trans voices in our work. The DNC rewrote and passed its bylaws creating to be gender neutral and inclusive of trans and non-binary folks. The DNC required all state parties provide a pathway for non-binary delegates to participate in the Convention without declaring a gender they don’t identify with. Our stance on trans rights and freedoms was made very clear in the DNC platform.

Trans issues have been elevated on two nights of the mainstage programming. A primary convention theme, ‘Fighting for Freedom’ is also squarely inclusive of trans rights and trans people. Most importantly, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have been an unabashed champion for trans folks their entire careers. As President and Vice President they will continue to fight for the freedoms of trans folks when we win in November.

We are proud to be the party of LGBTQ+ inclusivity and rights, including trans people. We are proud to be the party that will send the first trans federal elected to congress in Sarah McBride, and will continue to fight for trans folks to have a seat at the table.

While we fight for the freedoms of trans folks–as our platform and speakers have made clear–Trump and RNC have made clear they will trample trans rights if elected.”

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