Blackburn Aides Deny Kids’ Safety Bill Would Target Transgender Speech
The office of Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., aggressively denied claims her kids’ safety legislation is intended to target speech from the transgender community. Fight for the Future and transgender activists shared video of Blackburn from earlier this year. Responding to…
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a question about priorities this year, Blackburn said, “There are a couple of things. Protecting minor children from the transgender in this culture and that influence.” She said policymakers should be “watching what’s happening on social media,” citing her Kids Online Safety Act. Children are “being indoctrinated” on social media, Blackburn said, noting they hear about issues at school and on YouTube, Snapchat and Instagram. There are certain topics children are “emotionally not mature enough to handle,” she said. Blackburn’s office said Tuesday opponents of the bill are “seeking to misconstrue what was said for political gain,” and that it’s “completely untrue to allege” that Blackburn “stated” the Kids Online Safety Act will “target trans content.” Her office cited a tweet from Blackburn Legislative Director Jamie Susskind, who said the senator was addressing two separate issues in the video: “These are two separate issues being taken out of context. KOSA will not -- nor was it designed to -- target or censor any individual or community.” Fight for the Future Director Evan Greer said Blackburn’s staff is “absurdly” trying to “claim that she didn't say what she said.”