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Actress Lynda Carter, best known as the star of the 1970s live-action television series Wonder Woman, was cheered by her fans after she issued a strong and spirited defense of the rights of transgender people, who have been the subject of increased attacks by conservative legislatures around the United States.
Writing on Twitter, Carter said that she "cannot think of anything that helps women’s rights less than pinning the blame on trans women," adding that the community faces "so much violence and scrutiny as is."
Carter urged her readers to leave transgender people "alone and focus on the real war on women" that is "happening in the courts and legislatures around this country."
\u201cI cannot think of anything that helps women\u2019s rights less than pinning the blame on trans women. They face so much violence and scrutiny as is. Leave them alone and focus on the real war on women. It\u2019s happening in the courts and legislatures around this country.\u201d— Lynda Carter (@Lynda Carter) 1657065512
In recent months, Republicans across the country have sponsored a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, much of it directed at transgender people.
The legislation is a further example of how transgender issues have recently galvanized the far right, taking a spot at the forefront of attacks conservatives have directed toward the LGBTQ+ community in what has become one of the more defining elements of the culture wars.
Last month, Louisiana became the 18th state in the United States to ban trans athletes from competing in school sports, continuing a dark trend.
Notably, in April, after Kentucky Democratic Governor Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that bans transgender girls from participating in school sports, Kentucky Republicans moved swiftly to override it, enacting a bill that would require parents to show birth certificates for their children to participate in these activities.
Conservative talking points about transgender people have also received nationwide attention given the recent controversy that erupted in Texas after Greg Abbott, the state's Republican governor, signed off on legislation that, though ultimately struck down by a federal judge, would have empowered the state to open child abuse investigations into families whose children receive gender affirming procedures.
These issues have happened alongside a rightward shift in reproductive rights that reached a tipping point in late June after the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark decision that once protected a person's right to choose reproductive healthcare without excessive government restriction.
Multiple states have trigger laws that immediately went into effect upon Roe's reversal that effectively ban abortion within their borders, such as one in Utah that prohibits the procedure except in cases where it "is necessary to avert the death" of the pregnant woman or there is "a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function."
Many have applauded Carter for speaking out.
\u201cA better Wonder Woman than we deserve, now or ever. And yet here she stands.\u201d— Council of Geeks (@Council of Geeks) 1657112557
\u201cLynda Carter continues to show why she's Wonder Woman.\n\nI only wish there were more Lynda Carters in the world and fewer TERFs.\u201d— Ant \ud83d\udc80 Waiting for Halloween (@Ant \ud83d\udc80 Waiting for Halloween) 1657115083
\u201c\ud83d\ude0d Linda Carter \ud83d\ude0d\n\nHistory shows time and time again that strategically spewing hate and fear and ignorance at one vulnerable group distracts attention from the wholesale pillaging of all of our rights and protections - how are we here again??\n\n#TransRightsAreHumanRights\u201d— Karen Sugrue \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f (@Karen Sugrue \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f) 1657126256
\u201cTo the surprise of absolutely no one, Lynda Carter continues to be Wonder Woman.\u201d— \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08Mary\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08Mary\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1657131372
\u201cWonder Woman says leave trans women the hell alone and let them live their damn lives in peace.\n\nWhile we're at it, maybe we can do that for all women, whether they're women or cis women.\u201d— Yes, that Hanne Blank (@Yes, that Hanne Blank) 1657154832
\u201cMost of the people trying to convince you to attack trans people are part of the war on women. They're there to distract you from fighting back and to weaken our solidarity \u2764\ufe0f\u2640\ufe0f\u201d— Katy Montgomerie \ud83e\udd97 (@Katy Montgomerie \ud83e\udd97) 1657097024
\u201cIt's dissapointing and infuriating when entertainers/celebrities we love turn out to be TERFs. But Linda Wonder Woman Carter always shows up, when we need a hero to shine her light. \nWe love you WW.\u201d— Roberto Venegas (@Roberto Venegas) 1657094905
\u201cAll this: Ms Carter with words of wisdom.\u201d— President Kamala\u2019s Hand (Again) (@President Kamala\u2019s Hand (Again)) 1657109800
\u201cLove it when your childhood heroine uses their magic powers for good\u201d— Mistress Matisse (@Mistress Matisse) 1657089109
Carter has been consistently praised for her progressive advocacy, often speaking out on matters related to women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights and gun control.
Last month, she made headlines after she called out the right-wing conspiracy website Breitbart after it criticized Dallas Buyers Club actor Matthew McConaughey for using guns in his films. McConaughey—a gun owner with somewhat libertarian views—has been vocal about the need for comprehensive gun control in response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas where he was born and raised.
Carter responded to Breitbart's "story" with a simple observation of her time starring on Wonder Woman, noting her character on that show "flew an invisible plane" but she nonetheless "supports abiding by the laws of air traffic and physics."