The United States women’s national team on Wednesday night wore wristbands aimed at denouncing Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent directive that labels gender-transitioning care as “abuse.”
During the USWNT’s game against Iceland in the SheBelievesCup in Frisco, Texas, several players wore tape wristbands with the message “Protect Trans Kids” written on them. Megan Rapinoe, Catarina Macario, Kristie Mewis, Margaret Purce, Andi Sullivan and Becky Sauerbrunn all wore the wristbands in the 5-0 victory.
“With the platform we have, we really wanted to show why this team is different and why we do things that are much bigger than just the game,” said Ms. Macario, who showed off her wristband to the camera after scoring her second goal. “It was just a way to show awareness, especially because we were playing in Texas. I wanted to make sure everyone was able to see it, and it wasn’t just another thing getting [swept] under the rug.”
Several members of the @USWNT wore “Protect Trans Kids” wristbands last night 🏳️⚧️ pic.twitter.com/9dbwTX92Pd
— TOGETHXR (@togethxr) February 24, 2022
Mr. Abbott on Tuesday sent a letter to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services directing the agency to report and investigate instances of children undergoing gender-transitioning procedures. It is already illegal in Texas to undergo many elective gender transition surgeries or administer puberty-blocking drugs and large doses of testosterone or estrogen.
“Because the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is responsible for protecting children from abuse, I hereby direct your agency to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of any reported instances of these abusive procedures in the State of Texas,” Mr. Abbott wrote in the letter. “To protect Texas children from abuse, DFPS and all other state agencies must follow the law.”
The letter sparked outrage among Democrats and pro-transgender advocates. White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Wednesday condemned Abbott, saying the action was “designed to target and attack the kids who need support the most.”
“LGBTQI+ students are already vulnerable to bullying and violence just for being themselves,” Ms. Psaki said. “This isn’t an isolated action, as evidenced by multiple states pursuing this. We’re seeing Republican leaders take actions to regulate what students can or cannot read, what they can or cannot learn and, most troubling, who they can or cannot be.”
Here’s what press secretary Jen Psaki had to say about an order from TX Gov. Greg Abbott classifying gender-affirming care for trans children as ’child abuse’ pic.twitter.com/Y1l8Uq8uE6
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) February 23, 2022
Sauerbrunn, the USWNT’s captain, posted a tweet about Abbott’s letter before the team’s game.
“To deny gender-affirming resources to trans kids and to threaten their parents and guardians with claims of child abuse is MONSTROUS,” she tweeted.
To deny gender-affirming resources to trans kids and to threaten their parents and guardians with claims of child abuse is MONSTROUS.
— Becky Sauerbrunn (@beckysauerbrunn) February 24, 2022
If you want to help, support groups like @EqualityTexas. #protectTransKids
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
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