It appears as if Harris is not ruthless enough to serve all of the people of the United States equally. When asked if she would support transgender rights, Harris responded, “I think we should follow the law”. It’s easy to say you’ll support human rights for everyone if, in fact, that is what you stand for and believe, and that commentary certainly reflected a lack of understanding and support for the transgender community.
As a proud gay transgender American, that told me everything I needed to know about how Harris views the duties of the office as it relates to my own community. Harris has positioned herself further as a non-supportive transgender ally. If we simply look at her chosen commentary placed in her book, she seeks to profit from the further stigmatization of transgender people as it relates to inclusion in sports. These actions do not reflect what I feel are the qualities of a true leader for all to see.
As a strategist, I’d advise Harris to rethink and recraft her communications policy of inclusion of transgender people and our rights within society, as opposed to trying to placate both transphobic democrats and republicans alike at the detriment of my community. But know that this is a stance and position that she fully chose to put herself in. To knowingly appease transphobia is to continue to perpetuate the cycle of transphobia, to further incite and profit from sympathizing with transphobia is exceptionally vile. I am not and have not ever been impressed with her further stigmatization of transgender people and her history of pushing to criminalize sex workers, both of which communities are the most marginalized in this country.
Until Harris acts as if we all as a country are entitled to the exact same human and civil rights, she can not in good conscience think she will have the support of those she seeks to treat as deemed as less than in her eyes of deserving of equal rights. This country is ready for a steadfast, inclusive leader and not someone who will throw an entire community of citizens under the bus for their own benefit.
Harris could learn a lot from Zohran Mamdani in terms of democratic socialism and inclusion, and that is precisely why she has now, so very late in the game, endorsed his campaign as she is attempting to position herself as more aligned with his views. Important to note that all of his views are not in fact Harris’ views and Mamdani didn’t go out of his way to politicize any marginalized groups in products that are now being shopped around a country full of disappointed citizens that wanted Harris to stand for everyone from day one as opposed to profit off of the pain of certain marginalized demographics such as transgender people and sex workers.
I wanted to trust Harris; however, going off of her track record with both the transgender and sex worker communities, also partnered with her lack of support for Palestinians experiencing genocide that the administration she was actively a part of continued to escalate — I do not. I am confident that the United States would benefit from a feminist leader, but it just shouldn’t be a trans exclusionary one or one that turns a blind eye to genocide. Hopefully, Harris will one day soon actually meet the moment, but how can you build trust again after displaying deceptive political strategies? Perhaps time will tell; however, authenticity will always be key. You either have it or you don’t.
About Rev. Dylan Thomas Cotter:
With over fifteen years of expertise in PR and strategy, Rev. Dylan Thomas Cotter stands out as a strategic advisor for elite clients across entertainment, technology, fitness, fashion and beauty. His dynamic life experience enhances his ability to elevate brand messages and drive impactful engagement.
A former adult entertainer, Dylan Thomas is proud gay transgender activist and author that has appeared in Vice, Rolling Stone, Out Magazine, Yahoo! News, Pride.com, Mashable and Newsweek that happily resides in the Hollywood Hills with his partner. His memoir Transgender & Triggering The Life of Dylan Thomas Cotter is available now at Barnes & Noble, Harvard Book Store, Book Soup and Skylight Books amongst other fine retailers and is distributed worldwide through Ingramspark.