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With stunning speed, the status of trans youth has become the rallying cry of the Republican Party, from state legislatures to presidential campaigns.

Adam Nagourney, who covers West Coast cultural affairs for The New York Times, explains how that came to be, and why it’s proving such a potent issue.

On today’s episode

Background reading

• Defeated on same-sex marriage, the religious right went searching for an issue that would re-energize supporters and donors.

• Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, anti-gay rhetoric and calls to roll back L.G.B.T.Q. rights have grown bolder among Republican elected officials and candidates.

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We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

Adam Nagourney contributed reporting.

Fact-checking by Susan Lee.

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