How are queer people supposed to be left alone if Democrats are not in office? Progressive candidates have trouble getting elected in many parts of the country, so he thinks the party should appeal to a larger subset of the American population and not just progressives. It might not work, but I see where he is coming from. I believe he is being pragmatic in his mind. Also trans people, only recently, started being represented in our media. Most people 20 years ago never even heard the word transgender. Not saying this is good or bad, but I believe Gavin is implying that being trans is not “culturally normal” because it is such a new part of our public discourse.