Allred's ad attempts to blunt Cruz's impact by adopting conservative rhetoric, stating, 'I don’t want boys playing girls' sports or any of this ridiculous stuff that Ted Cruz is saying.' The shift has left many LGBTQ+ advocates feeling betrayed, as they had hoped Allred would fully support inclusion rather than engage in rhetoric that undermines transgender rights.
Cruz's campaign heavily focuses on transgender athletes, with attack ads alleging that 'Allred supports policies that undermine fairness in sports'. One ad aired during prime-time features a figure in an 'Allred' jersey tackling a girl, reinforcing the narrative that Allred's policies harm women in sports.
The Human Rights Campaign expressed concern over Allred's new ad, highlighting that Republicans often delegitimize transgender identities by claiming that trans girls are merely boys pretending to be girls. This narrative has serious implications for the LGBTQ+ community and the broader fight for equality.
LGBTQ+ advocates, including journalists, have reacted strongly to Allred's shift. Erin Reed criticized his move on social media, indicating that Allred's capitulation to anti-trans messaging is 'very shortsighted' and detrimental, especially given the Democratic party's historical stance in support of LGBTQ+ rights.
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