One would think that conservatives would be happy that Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House and are able to pass all the laws that they have been dreaming about, but Fox News host Jesse Watters seemed downright angry that trans people continue to exist even as Donald Trump signed an executive order banning trans girls from playing school sports.
Watters was on Fox’s The Five discussing Trump’s executive order from yesterday to block federal funding for schools that allow transgender girls and women to compete on girls’ and women’s sports teams. The order also directs the Department of Justice to prosecute schools that allow trans female athletes in female sports programs.
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Watters said that Trump will be “fair” as president, so LGBTQ+ people shouldn’t worry about a thing.
“Jesse, what do you think?” said Jessica Tarlov, The Five’s resident liberal.
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“How many trans teens killed themselves today, Jessica?” Watters asked.
“I didn’t get my update,” Tarlov responded coldly. “I don’t know.”
“Well, no, because you guys said that if you wouldn’t let trans teens do whatever they wanted, they were going to become suicidal, so I’m just wondering, you know, between this and the no surgeries we should see a rash in teenage suicides this year, right?” Watters said angrily.
Conservatives have often mocked the idea that LGBTQ+ people – especially transgender teens – experience a higher suicide rate than the general population. They especially take issue with the idea that the higher suicide rate is a result of rampant discrimination since that implies that the solution is to stop discrimination.
“You seem a little gleeful about-” Tarlov started.
“Obviously, I’m being sarcastic because that was a BS excuse!” Watters shouted over Tarlov. He then quickly tried to change the topic.
Even though trans people have been competing in school sports as their gender for years in some states, conservative activists in 2020 decided to make this a major issue in order to get more votes for Republicans in elections. One conservative activist, Terry Schilling, admitted to this tactic at the time.
Over the next four years, 27 states passed laws banning trans girls from participating in school sports. In that time, suicide hotlines like The Trevor Project saw an increase in calls, especially from states that were debating anti-trans laws. Another study found that the passage of anti-trans laws leads to a 72% increase in attempted suicide rates, on top of already high LGBTQ+ suicide rates.
Since Trump took office last month and signed multiple anti-trans executive orders, The Trevor Project said that it has experienced a 33% increase in calls. The Rainbow Youth Project USA Foundation hotline received over 1,400 calls by early Monday afternoon on the day of Trump’s inauguration. Before Trump won the election, the organization fielded about 3,765 calls per month.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. The Trans Lifeline (1-877-565-8860) is staffed by trans people and will not contact law enforcement. The Trevor Project provides a safe, judgement-free place to talk for youth via chat, text (678-678), or phone (1-866-488-7386). Help is available at all three resources in English and Spanish.
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