Protecting marginalized groups like transgender people is what democracy is about.

Hillary Clinton apparently thinks that is is more important not to offend transphobic people like J.K. Rowling than protecting transgender kids against violent extremism.

In an interview with the Financial Times she is asked about the way the Democrats are “losing elections by elevating activist causes, notably the transgender debate, which are relevant only to a small minority” according to the journalist.

“We are standing on the precipice of losing our democracy, and everything that everybody else cares about then goes out the window,” Clinton replied.

“Look, the most important thing is to win the next election. The alternative is so frightening that whatever does not help you win should not be a priority.”

I guess that is what some people said about the Jews too, back in Germany, before Hitler won the 1932 election.

The right wing extremists are right in one respect. This is a culture war, and they declared it. Now is the time for all good people — socialists, liberals, moderates and sane conservatives — to unite against them.

The transgender cause is not about a minority only. This is about defending the fundamental principles underpinning an open, tolerant and democratic society.

If you compromise on those principles the message to the rest of society is that the principles are not important. And if they are not important, then what are we fighting for?

Originally published at https://trans-express.lgbt.