WATCH: 16 year old trans boy removed from Ted Cruz rally following peaceful protest

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2016/04/25/watch-16-year-old-trans-boy-removed-from-ted-cruz-rally-following-peaceful-protest/

Pink News/By Joe Williams   04/25/2016

"James Van Kuilenburg says he was forced to leave a Ted Cruz campaign rally based solely on his identity.
A teenager says he was forcibly removed from a Ted Cruz rally, simply because he is trans.
James Van Kuilenburg said he had attended the rally last Thursday "to represent the LGBT youth that are hurt by [Cruz's] propaganda and rhetoric.""

Well, it's Cruz's rally, really. He gets to decide who stays and who goes. A rally is to gather supporters not to accommodate protesters. It's hard for me to get steamed about this.

He was just sitting in the rally minding his own business. The security saw his trans flag and made up their mind if you're trans you must be a protester and cause a scene. He could be trans and support Cruz or open to changing who he was going to vote for; they wouldn't know that from looking at him. They should give all people the opportunity to see a presidential candidate speak; whatever their race; gender or sexuality. They shouldn't single out one type of person simply because they don't like the look of him.

Quote from: Elis on May 02, 2016, 06:36:25 AM
They shouldn't single out one type of person simply because they don't like the look of him.

Well of course they shouldn't. I'll add that to the already very long list of the things that Ted Cruz is doing that he shouldn't. But I still claim that as the organizer of the rally, Cruz has the absolute right to invite or exclude who he wishes for any reason. Just as if you were throwing a party and Mr. Cruz showed up, (or any person wearing a t-shirt that you took exception to), you would have a right not to let him in.

Suzi is right. We may not like it, but these rallies are private events, and as such the organizers can decide to whom to admit (or not).  And it's a fairly safe bet that someone who brings a trans flag to a Cruz rally isn't there to support him.

That said, respect to this young man for going there. I am more and more impressed with the courage and commitment of all the young trans people who are standing up for themselves and for us.

Suzi is definitely right that Cruz is allowed to kick anyone out of his private events for any reason. It is also a fact that we can choose to vote against him for very reasonable observations about what kind of person he is. He's making it easy for us. Don't forget to vote.

Ugh, as terrible as this situation is, Ted Cruz is allowed to make a fool of himself and kick out this poor kid just because he was visibly trans. Doesn't make it right since James paid for his ticket and wasn't doing anything, but that's how it is unfortunately.

Just shows that Ted Cruz is lower than trash. He's garbage.

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Cruz is left for political historians to figure out

I'd like to just add to the argument that it's private so it doesn't matter. The problem with that philosophy is that during all the debates and caucuses I had one heck of a time viewing any of the so called democratic process because the debates were only viewed by those who could afford subscriptions to cable or pay per view. Not  to be a party pooper  I would of loved to see democracy at work. but being on welfare I wasn't allowed to view the democratic process. Just my 2 cents and not to be taken in any other way than a benign opinion.

Stephanie... I love you, girl... but this matters.  This really really matters.  People need to hear about it happening.  That's why it made the news.

Cruz has the right to kick people out of his rallies, but that does not make it a principled action.  This is a public figure running for office, and it is absolutely news that the public figure is so strongly in favor of segregation that he can't even bear to be in the same room as a transgender person.

Sure, it's legal... but so is complaining about it!  Complaining about this unprincipled, regressive, and undemocratic act is not only our right, but as informed citizens, it is our responsibility to do our part in publicizing that this happened.

Quote from: sparrow on May 07, 2016, 11:39:18 AM
Sure, it's legal... but so is complaining about it!  Complaining about this unprincipled, regressive, and undemocratic act is not only our right, but as informed citizens, it is our responsibility to do our part in publicizing that this happened.

Yup.  As I like to say, "Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from consequences."

If someone decides to exercise their freedom of association by removing persons from their presence or events, we are all free to notice and respond to the actions.   The speech and actions taken by any person are a reflection of their nature, and are never without consequences, good or bad.