A reporter from Tenet Media Taylor Hanson was on the ground in Arizona ahead of a rally for the Kamala Harris and Tim Walz campaign, engaging with attendees to understand their motivations for supporting the progressive presidential ticket.
When he asked a group of young woman “Why are y’all voting for Kamala Harris?”
One woman explained her choice saying: “I don’t wanna lose my rights,” she said. “I’m a trans man and I’m gay. I’ve been pregnant and had an abortion before, and I don’t want to lose that right. I’m afraid of not being able to be myself anymore. From what I’ve heard, Trump’s America doesn’t want me to look like this, so that’s why I’m here today and voting blue.” She sported an asymmetrical haircut, glasses, headphones around her neck, and a t-shirt referencing the popular novels.
Hanson then turned to another young woman in the group to ask why she supported the Democratic ticket. She echoed similar concerns, focusing on abortion rights. “I’ve also been pregnant and had an abortion before. I was a minor, and it would have been dangerous for me to carry a baby for personal reasons,” she explained.
Her friend interjected, helping her find the right words to describe herself. “Alternative,” she agreed, describing herself as a redhead with tattoos, piercings, and a crop-top bustier. “I feel like if Trump were to win, I wouldn’t be able to express myself through my looks. I wouldn’t be able to have the piercings, the dyed hair, or the tattoos that I want. I wouldn’t be able to be myself.”
When asked if her political stance caused a divide with her family, she admitted it did. “Yeah, it definitely does. My dad thinks Kamala’s going to ‘ruin’ the country, but I think Trump would be worse. I think Kamala is going to be good for the country.”
The conversation highlighted a generational and cultural clash, as these young women expressed fears that a Trump presidency could threaten their personal freedoms and self-expression. Interestingly, the punk and alternative movements, known for their bold fashion and rebellious spirit, thrived during the 1980s under conservative leaders like President Ronald Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. These movements continued through various administrations, including George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, whose vice president’s wife, Tipper Gore, famously pushed for parental advisory labels on explicit music.
During Trump’s previous term, there were no federal dress codes or restrictions on personal expression, though under the Biden administration, the federal government did enforce measures like mask mandates and vaccine requirements in public spaces due to the pandemic. Despite these differences, the young women Hanson interviewed expressed a strong desire to support a candidate they believed would protect their rights and identities.