Congressman Seth Moulton lashed out at critics Friday night for accusing him of failing the “purity test of the Democratic Party” because he expressed his opinion about boys playing in girls’ sports.
The Salem actor — a former US Marine and presidential candidate — said he stands by his belief that he doesn’t want his daughters to be “run over on the field by a male athlete or former athlete.”
The Massachusetts Democrat, in his critical remarks, was blaming his party for the Republican red wave and Donald Trump’s victory — saying Democrats are “out of touch with the American people,” especially on transgender issues.
“I have two little girls. I don’t want them to get run over on the field by a male or former athlete. But as a Democrat, I should be afraid to say that,” Moulton reportedly told a New York Times reporter in the wake of Tuesday’s election.
The Salem Democrat is now facing heavy criticism for those comments, and his campaign manager Matt Chiliak resigned after his comments, according to the Globe.
The Herald reached out to Moulton’s office for comment on Celik, and a Moulton spokesperson responded, “We do not comment on personnel matters (office policy).”
“Millions of Americans showed today that they hate immigrants and transgender people more than they fear fascism,” Celik posted on election night on social media.
Moulton faces negative feedback from throughout the community. On Friday, the Witch City mayor and school committee issued a statement to families about Moulton’s statements.
“The Salem School Committee and district leaders condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the comments made by Congressman Seth Moulton regarding children’s sports participation,” Mayor Domenic Pangalo and committee members wrote in the letter to families.
“Congressman Moulton’s comments regarding trans and nonbinary children do not reflect our values,” the officials added.
Moulton doubled down on his comments Friday evening, responding with a statement after facing heat all day on social media.
“I firmly believe that competitive women’s sports should place limits on the participation of those who have unfair physical advantages that come with being born male,” Moulton said in a statement. “I am also a strong supporter of civil rights for all Americans, including transgender rights. I will fight, as I always have, for the rights and safety of all citizens. These two ideas are not mutually exclusive, and we can even disagree about them.”
“However, there are many on social media screaming from the far left who believe I have failed the Democratic Party’s unspoken purity test,” the congressman added. “We did not lose the 2024 election because of any trans person or issue. We lost, in part, because we shame and belittle too many opinions held by too many voters, and this has to stop. Let’s have these debates now, define a new strategy for our party since our current strategy has failed, and then unite to oppose Trump’s agenda wherever it threatens American values.
Salem City Councilman Kyle Alexander Davis called Moulton’s initial statements “hate speech.”
“I have absolutely no patience for this transphobic bullshit,” Davis wrote on social media. “This is a terrifying time to be queer. Suicide hotlines serving the LGBTQ+ community cannot keep up with the number of people in crisis, and this is how the Congressman is spending his time. I want people to understand that this sad excuse for a leader does not speak for Salem.”
The advisor added: “…the transgender community is a blessing and any statement that seeks to make them a scapegoat is abhorrent.” “I do not believe Seth Moulton is fit for office – every day he continues to represent us in D.C. undermines the fact that he does not represent our values. I am deeply sorry to the trans community who have been victims of hate speech from their Congressman on top of the trauma and fear they already feel.
Boston State Rep. John Moran also did not hold back in his reaction to Moulton’s comments.
“No, Seth Moulton, the one thing we here in Massachusetts shouldn’t be afraid to say is that you should find another job if you want to use an election loss as an opportunity to co-opt our most vulnerable people,” Moran posted. “weak!”
Earlier this year, a local school district passed a policy allowing players to sit out games without any repercussions.
The Dayton-Rehoboth Regional School Committee approved a policy allowing student-athletes not to play in games against teams with players of the opposite sex. This vote came in the wake of a viral field hockey shot fired by a boy that seriously injured a girl.
A group of Salem parents band together to write letters to the editor of the local newspaper, which they say they will then print and hand-deliver to his office downtown.
“It is important for him to know that transphobic comments about trans youth will never abate — and that our community will not stand for anti-trans bigotry,” the group said in a document outlining its efforts. “We will actively stand up to protect the most vulnerable in our community.”
Originally published: November 8, 2024 at 12:04 PM ET
