Christopher Street Project wants to hold Democrats accountable for anti-trans votes

The Christopher Street Project, a hybrid PAC and nonprofit named for the New York street that’s home to the Stonewall Inn, is aiming to be Washington’s first electoral organization dedicated solely to electing pro-trans Democrats to Congress.

The group says its launch, announced this week, is a response to a rising tide of rhetoric and legislation targeting transgender Americans and Democrats’ disconnected response to attacks on trans rights that are led disproportionately by Republicans, according to the group’s founder, 19-year-old Tyler Hack.

The organization, Hack said, will fill a critical gap left by national LGBTQ rights groups that decline or hesitate to call out Democrats for their votes or lackluster defense of the community.

“There’s no one giving Democrats their talking points right now and coordinating specifically on trans issues with the lens that we're focused on,” Hack said in an interview. “At the same time, we are also an electoral organization, and we understand the power of electoral politics.”

Hack said the Christopher Street Project is already gearing up for the 2026 elections, and the group will spend most of its energy over the next two years making sure that incumbent Democrats who support trans-inclusive policies are reelected.

Democrats who fail to protect transgender Americans against legislative attacks will “hear from their voters directly,” said Hack, a former campaign staffer for New York Democrats, and the group is prepared to organize against Democrats who vote against trans rights and mobilize voters to unseat them.

“Voters having another option other than an anti-trans Democrat in some particular races is going to be a really important thing,” Hack said.

Democrats since November have wrestled with the role the party’s past support for transgender rights played in a string of election losses that month that allowed Republicans to reclaim the House and Senate and the White House. In exit polls, most voters said issues like the economy and immigration drove their vote.

Democratic Reps. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) and Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) said they oppose transgender athletes competing in women’s sports in the immediate aftermath of President-elect Trump’s decisive victory over Vice President Harris, shifting right of their previous policy positions and deepening fractures within their party. On Tuesday, Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar, both of Texas, were the only Democrats to side with Republicans to pass legislation meant to bar transgender student-athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports.

In a statement following Tuesday’s vote, Gonzalez referred to transgender girls as “boys” and said they do not belong on female sports teams. A spokesperson for Cuellar said the lawmaker, who voted against the same bill in 2023, decided to change his vote based on “concerns and feedback” from his constituents.

The Christopher Street Project, which is looking to raise $100,000 by the end of the month in both small- and high-dollar donations, has already won the support of several prominent Democrats in Congress, including Reps. Ayanna Pressley (Mass.), Jasmine Crockett (Texas), Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Al Green (Texas) and Sen. Andy Kim (N.J.).

“I'm proud to help launch the Christopher Street Project and continue building a more just America where our trans siblings are treated with respect, receive the healthcare they need, and can live their lives free from discrimination and violence,” Pressley said in a statement.

“As a proud advocate and defender of the trans community in Texas and beyond, I have experienced the growing right-wing attacks on trans children and their families as if they are attacks on my own family,” said Crockett, who got into a heated exchange with Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) on Tuesday over civil and transgender rights. “I am grateful to see new organizations like the Christopher Street Project rising to meet this moment and provide insight, guidance, and education on the fight for trans rights.”

The organization’s staff — a 10-member, all-volunteer operation — is mostly LGBTQ, according to Hack. The group’s mission is personal to them, and Hack is one of thousands of Americans whose access to gender-affirming health care is threatened by the incoming Trump administration, which has said it will cut federal funding for hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to minors. Transgender rights advocates have said the move is likely to disrupt care for trans people of all ages.

The president-elect made anti-transgender messaging a central part of his campaign’s closing argument, pouring tens of millions of dollars into television ads that went after transgender athletes and gender-affirming care.

At campaign rallies, Trump frequently railed against what he described as “transgender insanity” and spread the baseless claim that schools are helping children get transition-related surgeries without their parents’ consent.

Trump has said he will implement new laws that ban transgender athletes from women's sports and recognize only two genders — male and female — once he takes his oath of office next week.

“We would like to work with anyone, but it's not something that we expect to see results from,” Hack said about potentially working with the next administration.

“That's not an administration that is willing to listen to the Christopher Street Project's opinions of trans people,” said David Guirgis, a senior advisor for the group. “At the same time, it is important for us to raise these issues and point out, ‘Hey, what you’re doing is wrong’ — not necessarily to change the mind of Trump, but to change the minds of voters and everyday Americans who don't necessarily understand what it means to be transgender, what it means to be a member of the LGBTQ community.”

The organization’s ethos, according to Guirgis, is simple: if a Democrat in Congress takes an anti-trans vote, the group will mobilize against them.

“We are pointing out what Republicans are doing, and we're taking that to Democrats and being like, ‘Are you okay with this?’ And if your answer is yes, that's the wrong answer, and the Christopher Street Project is going to be ready on day one to point out that that is the wrong answer,” said Guirgis.

Topics

Democrats want to slow Gabbard confirmation path

Senate Democrats want to slow the roll on Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. intelligence community. Democrats are insisting on delaying Gabbard’s confirmation hearing ...
The Hill - 2d
Gloom and pessimism take hold of Democrats as they look for new leaders

Questions about the viability of a female presidential candidate rise after a crushing presidential defeat. Democrats are harboring strong feelings of stress and gloom as the new year begins. And ...
The Guardian - 4d
Democrats hold Virginia state House seat in closely watched special election

Democrat JJ Singh has defeated Republican Ram Venkatachalam in the special election for the Virginia state House's 26th District, according to Decision Desk HQ. The seat was formerly held by Del. ...
The Hill - Jan. 8
Virginia Democrats hold state Senate seat in Loudon County

Virginia Del. Kannan Srinivasan (D) has defeated Republican Tumay Harding in the special election to fill the seat representing the state Senate's 32nd District, according to Decision Desk HQ. The ...
The Hill - Jan. 8
These Democrats flipped their votes on the Laken Riley Act

Seven House Democrats flipped their votes to "yes" on a GOP-led bill named after the slain Georgia student Laken Riley that would require detention of migrants arrested for theft. The Laken Riley ...
The Hill - Jan. 7
Jeffries outlines priorities for Democrats after Johnson wins House speaker vote

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries introduced House Speaker Mike Johnson following the vote that reelected Johnson to the leadership role. Jeffries also called attention to priorities for Democrats as ...
CBS News - Jan. 3
Do Democrats really want a DREAM Act?

Donald Trump wants to help the DREAMers.
The Hill - Jan. 3
House holds vote to elect speaker

Watch live coverage as the House of Representatives holds a vote to elect the next speaker, with current House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., aiming for re-election.
NBC News - Jan. 3
New Orleans attacker's past and House to hold speaker vote: Morning Rundown

Mike Johnson fights to maintain his role as House Speaker.
NBC News - Jan. 3
All Democrats expected to participate in Speaker’s vote

All Democrats are expected to be in the Capitol on Friday for the vote to seat the next Speaker of the House, according to the Democratic whip’s office. The full participation of Democrats is ...
The Hill - Jan. 2