‘They’re here to antagonize us’: trans advocates say hostility at rallies is up as supreme court hears key case
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- The US Supreme Court heard arguments in the West Virginia v. BPJ case, which could determine whether transgender children can participate in school sports and potentially affect broader LGBTQ+ civil rights protections, prompting large, opposing rallies in Washington DC.
- Hundreds of trans rights supporters, including plaintiff Becky Pepper-Jackson, rallied alongside an equally large crowd mostly opposing trans participation in women's sports, with tensions escalating into physical confrontations and hostile chants.
- The opposition's increased organization and aggression reflect a growing conservative push to restrict LGBTQ+ rights, with some groups citing polling data to sway Democratic voters against trans youth in sports.
- An incident between LGBTQ+ advocate J Gia Loving and Jared L Ross of the Do No Harm organization led to Loving's temporary detention by Capitol police
