The Federalist Uses Image Of High School Student To Attack “Transgender Mafia”

In the latest in a slew of articles attacking transgender people, the right-wing web magazine The Federalist used an image of a transgender high school boy to blast the “dangerous adult fantasies” of the “transgender mafia.”

On February 16, the South Dakota state legislature passed a bill that would ban public school transgender students from using the bathroom or locker room that corresponds with their gender identity. The bill, advanced by a coalition of anti-gay extremists, has provoked outrage from national LGBT rights groups.  

In the latest in a series of pieces attacking transgender rights -- one co-authored by The Federalist's managing editor, Joy Pullman -- the web magazine published an article titled “South Dakota Stands Up To The Transgender Mafia.” Above the piece is an image of high school student and transgender activist Thomas Lewis.

While major youth welfare groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Education Association, have called on South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard to veto the "shameful" bill, The Federalist lauded South Dakota for having “defied the transgender mafia” in passing the measure. The article goes on to reject the consensus of mainstream medical organizations regarding transgender people, claiming instead that being transgender is a “delusion:”

One of the unique and wonderful things about the United States is that small states, ignored most of the time, can now and again set the big, important states on the straight and narrow path. South Dakota this week sent a bill to its governor that would require students to use the bathrooms and showers assigned to their birth genders.

While the coastal class clobbers bigoted South Dakota on social media, the parents of that state have spoken. Their representatives have accepted the time-honored definition of gender and defied the transgender mafia. That choice must be celebrated and defended.

[...]

What must be understood is that these activists, less interested in science or the well-being of children than in their own bizarre delusions, are the same people fighting South Dakota's new proposal. They believe gender is nothing more than a metaphysical state of mind--a religion of gender, if you will. These activists are willing to harm the mental well-being of children to justify their own belief system. These activists are willing to lie to destroy those who disagree with them.

[...]

Frankly, these trans advocates couldn't care less. It is the job of such children to confirm their belief system, not the job of adults to protect vulnerable children. This is not about the kids; this is about men who want to live fairy tale lives as women. This is about adults who threaten to boycott the state of South Dakota for allowing boys and girls to have their own bathrooms.

[...]

Will there be some children in South Dakota who are uncomfortable using the bathroom assigned to them? Possibly. But gender dysphoria is a serious and uncomfortable condition. Lying to children about their ability to know and understand their own gender at ages as young as 6 or 7 is wrong. Our schools must not be a party to these lies by affirming delusions.

Previously:

Introducing The Federalist, A New Web Magazine For Anti-LGBT Conservatives

Breitbart Uses “Trannies” To Mock 15-Year-Old Transgender Activist

A “Religious Freedom” Legal Powerhouse Is Leading The National Fight Against Transgender Student Rights