WASHINGTON — Texas Republicans up and down the ballot are airing campaign ads criticizing transgender rights. It is a trend that’s being seen in other states, too. Republican leaders defend the ads, saying the issue resonates with voters. LGBTQ+ advocates denounce the tactic and question its effectiveness.

An ad called “Boys and Girls,” paid for by the Cruz campaign, says “Somehow it’s become controversial to say boys and girls are different, but they are. Colin Allred supports boys playing in girls’ sports.” 

The National Republican Congressional Committee’s first TV ad this cycle for former Rep. Mayra Flores’ new bid for Congress was about gender transition treatment. It targets Flores’ opponent, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen. 

“When you work your butt off, family-owned business, times are tough, and then you see Vicente Gonzalez push sex changes for kids,” the ad says.  

Democrats say the ads are misleading or false and a distraction from the issues voters really care about. Republicans defend the approach. 

“It shouldn’t be a partisan issue, but somehow elected Democrats have tried to make it one, and I think it’s to their detriment,” said Bo French, chair of the Tarrant County GOP.

“This crosses party lines. Most people don’t think that men should be allowed to compete in women’s sports,” French continued. “These are just things that are common sense. I think most people agree with those, certainly the majority of Republicans.” 

On the campaign trail, former President Donald Trump often criticizes transgender participation in organized sports, as well as certain gender transition care.

Some LGBTQ+ advocates in Texas say they do not believe Republicans can win on this issue and that it is a fear-mongering tactic.

“These are real human beings, real Texans, who deserve respect and deserve to not be used as political pawns by elected officials who are just desperate because their poll numbers aren’t reflecting what they want them to see,” said Brad Pritchett, the interim chief executive officer for the group Equality Texas.

“It’s campaigns who don’t have a record to run on, or don’t want their record reflected, so they’re trying to distract voters by something that doesn’t really have an impact on your daily life as a voter or as a Texan,” Pritchett continued. 

The Republican-led state Legislature already requires student athletes to play on sports teams that reflect the sex listed on their birth certificates and restricts transgender youth from accessing puberty blockers and hormone therapy. 

Spectrum News 1 recently asked Allred about Cruz’s strategy to focus on transgender issues. 

“What I’ve supported is basic protections for folks on the basis of their sexual identity or who they love or how they identify and trying to make sure that they’re not discriminated against,” Allred said. 

Meanwhile, in response to the National Republican Congressional Committee’s ad, Gonzalez referred to Flores as “Mayra Mentiras,” or “Mayra the liar” in Spanish. 

“Mayra Mentiras strikes again. I have never supported tax dollars paying for gender transition surgeries and never will,” Gonzalez said. 

“Voters won’t fall for baseless and desperate lies about Vicente Gonzalez’s record. While Mayra Flores voted against lowering health care and drug costs and would jeopardize Social Security and Medicare, Vicente Gonzalez is working every day to lower costs for Valley families,” said Lauryn Fanguen, a spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.