Lakewood Church Shooting Response

Discussion around the Lakewood Church shooting is divisive, but generating negativity. A significant portion of the discourse connects the incident to broader discussions around transgender issues and the consequences for society.

• Some online are pointing out the recurrence of violent shooters identifying as transgender.
• Critics of this viewpoint argue that such claims are discriminatory and are an attempt to politicize a tragic event.
• Some also question the veracity of the shooter's reported transgender identity, suggesting that it may be misinformation.
• There is also discussion about the shooter's alleged support for Bernie Sanders and demographic group.
• A few voices express disappointment with the media coverage of the incident, claiming that the shooter's transgender identity has been underreported or ignored.
• There are also suggestions that the shooters race and ethnicity are being misreported.
• People suggest that this is evidence of bias in the media and a reluctance to cover stories that don't fit a certain narrative.

Following the church shooting, online discussion around transgender issues increased from 327 mentions the day before, to 1,022 the day of the event.

• Sentiment toward trans issues dropped, both among Democrats and Republicans.
• Among Democrats, trans topics saw 52% approval prior to the event and 43% the day after.
• Republicans showed 46% approval for trans topics prior and 33% the day after the shooting.

Conversations About Trans Athletes in Women’s Sports

Among other discussions on trans issues, there is conversation around girls’ and women's sports. Trans athletes in the United States and Canada have recently become a hot topic due to the increasing number of transgender athletes participating in these sports.

Many Americans agree that everyone should have the chance to participate in sports. However, the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports is a contentious issue.

Support for Trans Athletes

• Some users have expressed their support for LGBTQ rights and acceptance in society, including the rights of trans athletes to compete in sports.
• They talk about the need for inclusivity and equality, and some also highlight the importance of representation in sports.
• They admire figures who have played a role in advancing acceptance.
• These individuals argue that gender identity should be respected and that excluding transgender women from women's sports is discriminatory.
• Some contend that hormone therapy mitigates biological advantages and that there is no substantial evidence to suggest that transgender women consistently outperform women.
• Although there’s a significant group of people who support trans athletes, their reasoning is fairly unified around “supporting equality.”

Disapproval for Biological Men in Girls’ Sports

• Many Americans express negative views about trans athletes in female sports, across several groups and demographics, although the loudest tend to be Christians and conservatives.
• Christians bring up religious arguments, citing the Bible as the basis for their beliefs.
• Many others raise concerns about fairness in sports, asserting that trans athletes have biological advantages that make competition unfair.
• A common argument is that transgender women have an unfair biological advantage over cisgender women.
• They point to factors such as muscle mass, bone density, and testosterone levels as undeniable advantages for transgender women.
• Many fear that allowing transgender women to compete could discourage cisgender women from participating
• Some voices, including prominent female athletes, argue that transgender women's participation effectively means fewer opportunities for biological women.
• There is insistence that transgender participation in women's sports infringes upon Title IX, a law that guarantees women equal opportunities in education and athletics.

Several states have passed or are considering legislation to prevent transgender women and girls from participating in women's sports. Many believe these laws are necessary to ensure fair competition. Some critics view them as discriminatory and harmful to transgender individuals.

Partisan Disagreements About Transgender Issues

Like many issues, there tends to be a somewhat partisan divide with general LGBTQ and, specifically, transgender issues.

• Support for trans athletes in girls’ and women’s sports tends to be expressed among left-leaning progressives and young people.
• Critics of rising trans ideology tend to be conservatives, religious groups, moderates, and older Americans.
• In the middle, there are some individuals who propose alternative solutions, such as creating separate leagues for trans athletes or implementing hormone regulations.

Overall, Democrats show more approval for topics involving LGBTQ issues.