Iowa voter calls Pence position on transgender youth 'appalling' in town hall exchange

Source: The Hill

Iowa voter calls Pence position on transgender youth ‘appalling’ in town hall exchange

BY BRETT SAMUELS - 09/13/23 10:07 PM ET

Former Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday defended his opposition to surgical and chemical gender transition procedures and transgender-affirming policies being taught in schools during an emotional exchange with an audience member at a town hall in Iowa.

During a NewsNation town hall, a prospective Iowa caucus-goer named Melissa told Pence they were a member of the LGBTQ community and have transgender individuals in their family. Melissa cited the wave of anti-LGBTQ bills being passed at the state level and asked Pence through tears what he would do to protect the transgender community from “historically high levels of violence.”

Pence said he was “moved” by the questioner’s emotion, and he vowed to protect the rights of every American if elected.

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Melissa responded that they are a social worker and have worked with kids in their profession for years. Melissa said they started an organization for LGBTQ youth in their hometown.

“I have worked with kids as young as five years old that have gender non-conforming and identities that are transgender, and I’ve raised one,” they said. “And so to hear somebody tell me that it’s not OK for young children to make decisions about their gender identity and to ask their school officials for support, protection and help, is appalling.”

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Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4203580-iowa-voter-calls-pence-position-on-transgender-youth-appalling-in-town-hall-exchange/