Seth Moultons had a tough few weeks.
Some House races werent even called yet.
But there Moulton was, seeming to throw the trans community under the bus.
Rep. Seth Moulton speaks to reporters on Nov. 11, 2024.Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe/Getty Images
In the wake of that story, everything changed.
A gush of D.C. gossip and intrigue stories has followed, much of it sourced toanonymous lawmakersandcampaign staffers.
Moultons actual view on trans people in sports?
He wants reasonable restrictions with the help of the experts.
The Olympicsrules areawfully controversial.
But he also thinks sports are a wedge issue that stops bigger gains for the trans community.
In that story, theTimesspecifically noted its previous interview with Moulton had touched off [a] furor.
Moulton certainly wound up at the center of a fight within the Democratic primary.
But to him, the Gray Lady started all this.
The transcript that follows has been edited for length and clarity.
Some of it has, but some of it has not.
In fact, the exact opposite is true.
Well, I think they knew it would be controversial.
Which is kind of my point.
When we do that and we cant even respond to Republican attacks, thats a real problem.
But most of my colleagues?
When I told them I did that, they were shaking their heads.
They cant believe I even took the risk of engaging on the issue.
Do you think thats because of the media?
Well, the media is ultimately stoking the controversy.
And Ive heard this on a lot of other things too.
It harms immigrants to even talk about it.
When I hear you talk, it sounds like a debate about messaging.
I think this is something that deserves debate.
Thats why the Olympics have some restrictions.
Thats not an unreasonable position to debate.
No, this is exactly what Im advocating against.
See, this is the problem.
This is exactly what Im advocating against.
Thats why we have to be brave enough to have our own policy.
I think the majority of Americans support civil rights.
I mean, Harris barely even responded to Trumps attack ad.
With respect to medicine, do you think Democrats should change their approach at all on messaging or policy?
I certainly didnt enter this debate as an expert on all these issues.
Were in a state of denial if we give a shot to pretend that these attacks werent effective.
Thats a great excuse for not engaging in this debate.
And thats exactly the problem that Democrats have.
You think theyre wrong and there shouldve been some sort of response there?
I think you absolutely have to respond.
Some sort of message essentially?
This is an issue of basic trust.
And yet all the polling shows the majority of Americans trust Republicans more on the economy.
Am I getting that right?
Part of having a good response is being willing to debate debatable issues.
I mean look, the NCAA has restrictions on trans people in sports.
And yet Ive been called anti-trans because Im willing to raise the issue.
And you know, I dont know exactly what the right answer is.
Im not trying to say what the restrictions should be.
If I just proposed, right, lets have a debate about this?
It is not settled that there should be no restrictions on trans women in sports.
Its a reasonable debate to have.
Or considering an alternate opinion.
Yeah I mean, personally, Im trans.
Im a trans woman.
It sounds like youre saying… dont do that?
Thats exactly my point.
Thats what Ive been saying throughout this entire interview and for the last few weeks.
When we refuse to engage on this issue were just ceding the arguing to the Republicans.
That is the most dangerous thing for trans people.
That does a real disservice to them.
Actually, I have to say, a lot of LGBTQ advocates have reached out to me.
