I’m not saying those people aren’t important, I’m saying they shouldn’t be the highest priority when deciding which issues to highlight during a presidential campaign. Sure, transpeople need our support, but their issue personally affects a far smaller segment of the population than an issue like healthcare, which affects literally EVERYBODY.

The First Rule of Politics is Get Elected, and that means highlighting the issues that will bring you the most votes. Once elected, then you can do whatever you want to help whoever you want. If you are one of those people who needs that sort of support (not just transfolk), then focus more on what it will take to get your advocates into power, instead of just using the campaign to highlight your own personal issues. Get your people elected, and then pressure them to help you.

This is what politics is, and why it often gets smarmy in practice, but that’s the game. If you want to win, you have to play it.