Massachusetts Democrat Seth Moulton isn’t the only congressman receiving blowback for saying that biological males and transgenders shouldn’t be competing in women’s sports.
More than 30 LGBTQ leaders across the country wrote a letter Friday demanding an apology from Moulton and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-New York, for spreading “harmful misinformation about our community, particularly transgender youth.”
Moulton continues to face stiff backlash after he told the New York Times last week that he’s concerned about his daughters’ safety on the playing field should they be forced to compete against transgender athletes, a subject he noted he’s not even supposed to broach as a member of the Democratic Party.
Suozzi also echoed similar comments to the New York Times after President-elect Trump won reelection: “The Democrats have to stop pandering to the far left. I don’t want to discriminate against anybody, but I don’t think biological boys should be playing in girls’ sports.”
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Suozzi, re-elected in a swing district last week, added: “Democrats aren’t saying that, and they should be.”
In their letter Friday, dozens of LGTBQ leaders blasted Moulton and Suozzi for blaming their party for Trump’s victory and the Republican red wave across the country, saying the claim is “not only inaccurate but also fails to recognize the reality.”
“Americans overwhelmingly support the rights of transgender people,” the letter states. “This support is evident from the recent election of openly transgender candidates across the country, including in traditionally conservative areas.”
“Attacking the transgender community is a distraction tactic that Republicans have used time and again when they lack solutions to real problems,” it continues. “Democrats cannot fall into this trap. Instead of blaming marginalized communities, we should focus on addressing the challenges that impact all Americans, such as healthcare access, economic inequality, and public safety.
Jeremy Comeau, co-chairman of the Bay State Stonewall Democrats, an advocacy group for the LGBTQIA+ community, and a Cape and Islands representative on the Democratic State Committee, is leading the push for an apology from Moulton and Suozzi.
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Massachusetts state Reps. John Moran, Jack Patrick Lewis and Natalie Higgins, and state Sens. Jo Comerford and Julian Cyr, had all signed onto the letter as of Friday morning.
The letter follows an initial demand for an apology that former interns and staffers penned to Moulton last weekend. That request also took exception to the congressman saying that pronouns in email signatures are “kind of weird.”
MassDems Chair Steve Kerrigan has stated that Moulton’s comments don’t reflect the state party’s values, while Gov. Maura Healey is alleging the Salem representative of “playing politics.”
Despite the backlash, Moulton told the Herald on Tuesday that he is not anti-trans. The demands for an apology and calls for him to resign, he said, demonstrate the exact problem he was describing.
“That’s why it’s important for Democrats to win this debate,” he said. “Because, if we refuse to have the debate, Republicans will settle it on their terms and that’s dangerous for trans people and all other kinds of minorities across America.”
NORTH ATTLEBORO – Ocean State Job Lot announced this week it is taking over a third former Christmas Tree Shops location in Massachusetts and sixth overall in New England.
Ocean State Job Lot opening in North Attleboro
The Rhode Island-based discount retail chain will open its 53rd Massachusetts store in North Attleboro after buying the Cumberland Crossing shopping center. The store is scheduled to open sometime in the second quarter of 2025. Other shops at the plaza include a trampoline park, Guitar Center, Planet Fitness and David’s Bridal.
Ocean State Job Lots says its growth strategy includes a “repurposing of former retail sites.” Old Christmas Tree Shops stores in Avon and Pembroke, as well as locations in Augusta, Maine; St. Albans, Vermont and Warwick, Rhode Island have also turned into Ocean State Job Lots.
What’s happening to old Christmas Tree Shop stores?
The last Christmas Tree Shops stores closed more than a year ago, after the New England retailer declared bankruptcy and went out of business.
The once-popular chain known for its “Don’t you just love a bargain?” jingle began on Cape Cod 50 years ago. Not long before closures began, ownership decided to rebrand as “CTS” because some confused shoppers outside of New England thought the stores only sold Christmas trees.
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A former Christmas Tree Shops location in Dartmouth has been turned into a “Spirit Christmas” store for the holidays. Other Christmas Tree Shops have become furniture stores, supermarkets and potential real estate development opportunities.
Neal Riley
Neal J. Riley is a digital producer for CBS Boston. He has been with WBZ-TV since 2014. His work has appeared in The Boston Globe and The San Francisco Chronicle. Neal is a graduate of Boston University.
The girls’ hockey regular season tipped off last week. See our updated Top 20 poll, and our first Players of the Week.
Chloe Bryda, Bishop Feehan — In a 5-1 win over reigning Division 1 state champion St. Mary’s, the senior scored a hat trick to power the No. 13 Shamrocks.
Lucy Irwin, Central Catholic — The junior helped the Raiders to a 2-0-0 week with two goals and an assist in Thursday’s 4-2 win over Beverly/Danvers and a pair of tallies in Saturday’s 7-1 win over Cambridge.
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Talia Martucci, Winthrop — After finishing last season on 99 points, the Salem State-bound senior scored her 100th career point assisting the opening goal, then proceeded to score a hat trick to lead the No. 12 Vikings past Medford, 7-0, on Saturday.
Kelsey MacPherson, Hopkinton/Dover-Sherborn — The eighth-grader started her high school career with a thrilling week, notching her first goal and assist in Saturday’s 4-2 win over Norwood before tallying four goals and an assist in Monday’s 6-2 victory over Medway/Ashland.
Paige Nottingham, HPNA — The senior defender got involved plenty in No. 10 HPNA’s opener, providing a goal and three assists in a 7-0 takedown of Longmeadow.
Khloe Schultz, Sandwich ― The MVP of the Judy Gormley Cup, the junior supplied a goal and an assist in the No. 16 Blue Knights’ 10-1 opening round win over Barnstable before scoring a hat trick in the 6-3 win over NSA in the final Sunday as the Knights captured the first tournament crown of the new season.
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