Tulsi Gabbard and other former Democrats took the stage at the Moms for Liberty Joyful Warriors National Summit in Washington, D.C., where they spoke about the increasingly extreme positions of the Democratic Party, particularly regarding children’s well-being and issues like sex changes for minors.
Gabbard delivered an impassioned speech, expressing solidarity with parents who face backlash for being involved with Moms for Liberty and advocating for their children’s rights. She shared her appreciation for being homeschooled as a child, recalling that even back in 2000, her mother noticed that young children were being asked about their sexuality in school surveys.
During a panel discussion with other former Democrats, Gabbard emphasized the importance of empathy when engaging with those on the left. “You have to have empathy for wherever someone is coming from and get past all the words and talking points that are shouted at us on cable TV every day,” she said.
Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party, has since endorsed Donald Trump and is expected to join his transition team if he wins the 2024 presidential election. She highlighted the core values at stake: “Fundamentally, what are the things that matter most? It is the well-being of our kids.
It is the safety of our communities. It is our ability as individuals, as parents, for those of you who are parents, to be able to make the best decision that you can make for yourselves, for your kids.”
Shawn Thierry, a Texas state representative, also announced her departure from the Democratic Party during the event. Thierry criticized the party for moving too far left and supporting policies she cannot endorse in good conscience, such as promoting sex changes for vulnerable children and dismantling Title IX.
Thierry spoke about her decision to leave, citing the issue of sex changes for children as a major concern. “I’ve talked to a lot of my different colleagues from the national level all the way down to the state, and privately, many of them agree with us,” she said. Thierry shared that some colleagues told her they knew it was wrong to “castrate boys” and sterilize girls but felt pressured to conform to the party line.
The panel also featured Jennifer Sey, founder and CEO of XX-XY Athletics, a brand advocating for women’s rights in sports. Sey discussed controversies at the Olympics involving boxers Imane Khelif and Yang Liu and criticized “gender ideology” as the “most egregious example of being told you must carry a lie” on the left.
Sey noted that while 70 percent of people agree with their stance on issues like men competing in women’s sports, it doesn’t feel that way when speaking out. Having voted for Biden in 2020, Sey stated she would not support Democrats in 2024 due to their policies on COVID-19 and gender.
