“Last Thursday, I was thrown out of a Ted Cruz rally because I am visibly trans.
I am a teen with a high interest in politics, and when I found out Cruz was coming to my town, I was very excited...I begged my mom to take me so I could see him in person and maybe gain a better understanding of his platform. I was aware he was very transphobic, but I hoped after seeing him speak, I could understand how his message resonated with so many. I also wanted to be a face for trans people, because I knew there were many in the audience who had never met a trans person before, and I thought that seeing me might counter some of his rhetoric. I wanted them to see that Cruz’s words can hurt people like me. I wasn’t there to protest him; I wanted the mostly Republican people in the audience to see who I am, and know I am not a predator, or dangerous, or a freak.
I was very respectful when we sat down in the venue. I just sat there looking at my phone. Before he even came on stage, I was forcibly removed without a reason by a security guy and a local cop. They refused to give me a reason and told me that the campaign didn’t want me present. I was wearing a trans pride flag and a tshirt from NCTE.
I was denied the right to hear a presidential candidate speak based solely on my identity. When I tried to tell the volunteers from the campaign and the local Republican party, they laughed at me.
I want the Cruz campaign to be held accountable for their actions. By throwing me out before I had a chance to even hear Cruz’s opinions, they are sending a very clear message to trans and LGBT teens that we are not welcome, and that we are second class citizens.”
