Outrage as John Fetterman voices support for trans athletes, says they're 'just schoolchildren'

WASHINGTON, DC: Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman triggered MAGA outrage after he voiced his support for transgender athletes participating in women's sports at the school level.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order at the start of his second term to ban trans athletes from women's sports. However, the School District of Philadelphia was among the first to defy the order, as per Fox News.

A statement shared by the school district last month read, "The School District of Philadelphia strives to ensure safety, equity, and justice for all students regardless of gender identity or gender expression so that they can imagine and realize any future they desire."

"The District will continue to align its practices to support its LGBTQ+ students in accordance with Board Policy 252 for transgender and gender non-conforming students," it added. 

John Fetterman tweets in support of trans athletes after voting against GOP-led bill

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, March 3, John Fetterman declared himself as an "ally" of trans athletes and slammed political ads that depersonalized them.

The Democrat wrote, "The small handful of trans athletes in PA in a political maelstrom deserve an ally and I am one."

"Depersonalized as 'they/them' in a political ad, but are just schoolchildren. Empty show votes or cruelty on social media aren’t part of a thoughtful, dignified solution," the 55-year-old added. 

The tweet was made after a GOP-led bill that sought to ban trans athletes from participating in school athletic competitions designated for female athletes failed to advance on the Senate floor. In a party-line vote of 51-45, Democrats managed to block the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, introduced by Senator Tommy Tuberville. 

The bill, mirroring Trump's executive order, sought to determine Title IX protections "based solely on a person’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth," according to ABC27.

John Fetterman faces backlash after he voices support for trans athletes

MAGA supporters and conservatives were furious with John Fetterman after he wrote in support of the trans athletes, saying they deserve an ally. 

One declared, "John Fetterman officially hates women," and another said, "So much for women’s rights."

"You failed women and girls today with your vote," a person wrote, while someone else added, "Thousands of girls in PA deserve an ally, yet you refuse to even acknowledge them. Really is a man's world isn't it?"

"You are on the wrong side of history," another comment read. "No. Just, no. There is no argument with this subject because you're wrong," one more wrote. 

Another person expressed, "Girls being cheated out of earned honors & opportunities could have used an ally, Senator, but you chose boys' desire over fairness to girls. The 'thoughtful, dignified solution' is for everyone to compete with their own sex, bc sports are played with bodies, not identities." 

One more stated, "Girls deserve same sex spaces & sports. It does not matter how big or small (it’s big) the group is that wants to take away girls’ safety and sports. It’s always wrong. Bad vote Senator." 

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