Washington, DC — Today, Right Wing Watch, a project of People For the American Way, released the second part of a report detailing attacks on transgender women and children by far-right members of government and the religious right.

“Unsportsmanlike: The Right-Wing Attack on Transgender Women and Children” explores the history of trans women in sports and examines the role of Donald Trump, the Republican Party, and the religious right in stoking the flames of anti-trans rhetoric and legislation, and how the far right uses fear to manipulate their base into supporting these acts of bigotry.

READ PART I HERE.

READ PART II HERE.

Part I of Right Wing Watch’s investigation examined the onslaught of state-level legislation meant to exclude trans kids from sports and the new coalition of well-heeled right-wing and religious-right groups advancing this attack with draft legislation and fearmongering.

Part II shows how these attacks on trans athletes are part of a larger effort by this anti-trans coalition to roll back the progress that trans Americans have made. It also explores the disinformation about the physiology of trans athletes and the sports researchers and LGBTQ activists trying to set the record straight.

The report comes as Republican-controlled state legislatures around the country continue to push legislation designed to exclude transgender individuals from participating in sports under the guise of “fairness.” More than 30 statehouses across the country have taken up legislation that would bar trans students from competing on sports teams corresponding to their gender identity.

Right Wing Watch experts Kristen Doerer and Karim Zidan—the authors of the report—are available for interviews to discuss the content of the full report, where this wave of anti-trans sentiment goes from here, and:

• how attacks on trans athletes fit into a broader effort by religious-right organizations to trample the rights of trans Americans, as shown by other attacks on trans people, including those on Dr. Rachel Levine during her confirmation as Assistant Secretary of Health and those aimed at the Equality Act;
• the disinformation pushed by right-wing actors versus the science behind trans girls and women in sports; and
• where the American public stands on trans rights and trans women in sports.

Anti-trans attacks and legislation is an issue that is not likely to go away soon—the far right appears set on continuing to go after one of this country’s most vulnerable and oppressed communities. Let’s set something up now and raise further awareness on this story.

About Right Wing Watch

People For’s Right Wing Watch nonprofit team of analysts offers full-time, up-to-the-minute monitoring and analysis of dangerous rhetoric and activity by right-wing political organizations.

About People For the American Way

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.