Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts is campaigning fervently as a supporter of transgender rights, positioning himself as the only high-profile Democrat willing to discuss the issue openly. This comes as many party members, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Pete Buttigieg, have distanced themselves from defending transgender athletes in women's sports. Markey's primary challenger, Representative Seth Moulton, faced backlash after suggesting Democrats' 2024 election loss was linked to their transgender stance.

Markey argues Moulton "threw trans kids under the bus," while Moulton has since expressed contrition and cosponsored the transgender bill of rights. The 80-year-old senator frames the issue as a matter of human rights, stating that supporting transgender athletes reflects Massachusetts values. The debate highlights a generational and ideological divide within the Democratic party regarding transgender participation in women's sports.