Moral Panic: Fact-Checking the War on Trans Kids
Convicted felon Donald Trump relies on a well-worn GOP playbook to scare their voters to the polls: stir up moral panic over LGBTQ people. Moms for Liberty—well-funded by shadowy right-wing interests—are out there banning books and promoting anti-trans, anti-gay laws straight from Viktor Orban’s Hungary and Putin’s Russia. We might inadvertently feed into their culture war hysteria if we don’t step back and see how their disinformation machine works. As Erin Reed points out in her essential guide to our times “Erin in the Morning,” trans care is under attack in half of the country. Meanwhile, the far right stirs up fear, demonizing trans people, especially trans children and their families, just like Karl Rove did with gay marriage in 2004, to secure a second term for war criminal George W. Bush. But trans people have always existed. They’re part of human history, brutally erased by colonial powers, according to a must-read report from ABC News in our show notes below. So, what’s the antidote to the far-right's moral panic? Call it out for what it is. Protect trans kids. Push back against oligarchs. Remember, this is about basic human rights. As highlighted in Abi Maxwell’s poignant memoir One Day I'll Grow Up and Be a Beautiful Woman: A Mother's Story, love and dignity for trans children are crucial to building safer, more compassionate communities for everyone. Maxwell’s story focuses on her daughter, Greta, a courageous little girl who, from a very young age, understood she was a girl, even though she was born a boy. The confusion wasn’t Greta’s—it was the adults around her, including teachers and parents in their small New Hampshire town, who struggled to accept her identity. Maxwell recounts their family’s painful journey through relentless bullying and institutional barriers, a journey that mirrors the challenges faced by countless other trans families in America today. Maxwell's memoir isn’t just a heart-wrenching tale of a mother fighting for her child; it’s also a stark reminder of how disinformation and fearmongering, often driven by far-right extremists, are weaponized to divide us. As we’ve seen with the rise of groups like Moms for Liberty, the attacks on LGBTQ+ rights—particularly against trans children—are often orchestrated by powerful interests looking to distract and manipulate voters. In our interview with Maxwell, she sheds light on the far-right’s disinformation playbook and shares insights on how we can rise above it. It’s time to move beyond the hate and fear and build a society that values love, acceptance, and the dignity of all people, no matter their gender identity. Let’s start by protecting some of the most vulnerable among us: our trans kids. The song you heard in this week’s show is “Doors Are Opening” by The Society of Rockets. Check out their brilliant work here! http://societyofrockets.org/ * Ready to engage in meaningful discussions and connect with like-minded individuals? Join our new weekly political salon every Monday at 4 PM ET via Zoom! This space is designed for you to share frustrations, ask burning questions, seek support, and actively contribute to conversations that help shape Gaslit Nation. Whether you're a seasoned political junkie or just starting to find your voice, everyone is welcome. Our goal is to build coalitions and foster collective healing during these challenging times. Thank you to everyone who made our first salon a success! We’re excited to continue these crucial discussions every Monday through the election, starting again on September 16 at 4 PM ET. For those who can't make it live, don’t worry—each session is recorded and shared exclusively on Patreon. If these salons resonate with you, there’s a chance they’ll extend beyond the election. Want to be part of this powerful community? Support us at the Truth-Teller level or higher on Patreon at patreon.com/Gaslit, and you’ll find the Zoo
