1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I'm writing to encourage you to adopt Rep. Sarah McBride's approach when addressing questions about sex, gender, and transgender issues. Her recent response on a Bulwark podcast demonstrates how to navigate these questions with honesty and principle rather than evasion. When asked about differences between transgender women and women born female, McBride gave a direct answer. She acknowledged that for a small number of people who are transgender, there are steps they can take to transition, and yes, there are differences between transgender women and women born female. She then pivoted to shared values, stating that regardless of policy disagreements, all people deserve dignity and respect, and we shouldn't be bullying a small group just trying to live their lives and contribute to society. This approach works because it acknowledges reality while maintaining core values. An Axios survey of nearly 20 potential Democratic 2028 contenders found that most declined to respond to questions about trans issues. This silence creates a vacuum that opponents exploit. When Senator Josh Hawley questioned Dr. Nisha Verma about whether men can get pregnant, her hedging response went viral and became a political liability. The biology underlying these debates is more complex than simple gotcha questions suggest. A 2007 case study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism documented a woman with predominantly XY chromosomes who menstruated regularly and gave birth twice without medical assistance. Her ovarian tissue was 93% XY. This demonstrates that chromosomes don't always match anatomy in the straightforward way these questions assume. I urge you to follow McBride's model: acknowledge the question's intent, provide a direct answer that concedes obvious differences, and redirect to shared values of dignity and respect. This approach shows voters you aren't afraid of difficult questions while maintaining principles that protect a vulnerable population. Evasion hasn't worked politically, but honest engagement can turn traps into conversations.