A WaPo Poll Found That Significant Majorities Support Pro-Trans Policies, But Reported The Opposite

[Nevilledog]

https://www.readtpa.com/p/a-wapo-poll-found-that-significant

*snip*

“Most in U.S. back GOP’s anti-trans policies,” reads the headline of a piece by the Post’s Laura Meckler and Scott Clement. “Poll bolsters those seeking restrictions in schools, sports and health care,” continues the subheadline.

Yep. The front page. I was shocked to see this, as there hasn’t been a single poll I’ve seen that shows that “clear majorities of Americans support restrictions” on trans people’s lives. Here’s how it begins:

Clear majorities of Americans support restrictions affecting transgender children, a Washington Post-KFF poll finds, offering political jet fuel for Republicans in state legislatures and Congress who are pushing measures restricting curriculum, sports participation and medical care.

This frames the GOP’s anti-trans policies as being about “children,” but that’s just not the reality of what’s happening, and it’s worth being very clear about this: the “GOP’s anti-trans policies” are not just about trans minors. Many are, and they’re horrible policies, but that is by no means an accurate description of what the GOP is trying to do. Just look at Florida, which just last week passed a bill that effectively banned trans people from using public restrooms that match their gender identity at any building owned/leased/funded by the state government. Stadiums, airports, hospitals, schools, etc.

That’s not about “children.” It’s a ban on trans people of all ages. See also: Kansas and Arkansas, which passed their own version of this policy. And then there’s the matter of Missouri’s attorney general unilaterally imposing a policy that would force trans adults off hormone therapy and make transition-related health care near impossible to get. Oh, and don’t forget Montana, which just made it impossible for trans people to update their identifying documents at all.

*snip*

[reymega life]

1. this is probably not true since people want freedom

[barbaraann]

2. Perhaps they are familiar with what happens when fascists take over.

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

—Martin Niemöller

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. K&R. Absolute journalistic malpractice this morning from WaPo.

[Phoenix61]

4. Why it's so important to know exactly what was asked.

I’m sure there are lots of people who oppose abortion or guns etc but aren’t for laws that make them illegal.

[intheflow]

5. Poll was conducted in December 2022.

Before the explosion of anti-trans legislation. Why did it take them four months to publishing this? I'd like to see the same poll taken now. I'd bet the numbers would be too overwhelming in favor of trans rights for them to fudge the headline.

[Sympthsical]

6. The dates are the biggest problem with that poll

When I saw them, it was like, "Quite a bit has happened since then."

With increased attention and consciousness brought to trans issues, it feels like any poll should be a hell of a lot more recent than six months ago. Especially if you're going to slap results on the front page as being salient to the national conversation.

The author of that article isn't really arguing the results. Just the framing. I.e. does opposition to something equate to supporting policy banning it? That's pretty much the entire thing.

But there is a fair consistency in things over the past few years. People generally don't like discrimination. If you ask if someone should be fired or lose their housing, most people will say no. Americans have gotten a lot better at a sense of fairness in these things over time. However, when you ask questions about medicalization of minors and sports, opposition is significantly higher (2/3 against participation in sports, 2/3 against puberty blockers, 58/42 against hormones for older teenagers 15-18).

So that's where Republicans are taking aim. They use those two things to advertise their policies, because they know most people don't like those things. However, what they advertise less is sneaking in discrimination and stripping of protections for trans people in other areas that do not have to do with those two issues.

I'd be much more interested in seeing if and how numbers have shifted in the past six months as these issues have increasingly been in the media spotlight.