Statement by Butch Ware
November 2, 2024

I am neither a Pro-life ‘abortion banner’ nor a transphobe. I believe firmly in the sacred dignity of every single human being. It saddens me to have to announce this, because I have NEVER - in public or in private - taken a position against a woman’s right to choose, or against the rights of the lgbtq and trans communities to live the lives they choose.

Yesterday I was made aware of the hurt caused by the proliferation of two shorts clip of my recent comments on a political interview program. These comments were taken out of context and used to paint me as holding views I fundamentally reject. Let me be clear: the values I stand for and the principles I uphold are rooted in full inclusion, respect, and justice for all communities, especially our LGBTQAI2S+ family, who have long been at the forefront of the Green movement for equality.

The remarks in question, presented in a hostile interview, were misrepresented through selective editing to suggest otherwise. In context, I was engaging in what I thought was a discussion of a nuanced policy on Olympic inclusion based on information shared by the IOC, not making a statement against trans inclusion. Unfortunately, certain individuals have chosen to distort my words, weaponizing them to undermine our movement and campaign.

In my eleven-week crash course into the world of electoral politics, I have learned that unethical people are paid good money to twist the words and sully the name of good people. They turn midnight into high noon with selective editing, cherry-picking sound bites to produce ‘gotcha’ moments that never were. The fear and desperation of democrats to drive a wedge into the Green Party base has driven this process into overdrive. They have now been caught multiple times trying to utilize black talk radio to further this agenda.

Throughout my career, I have been a vocal advocate for queer rights, and I remain committed to the liberation of all marginalized communities. It is a priority for me to stand alongside trans and queer individuals in every fight for equity, including the urgent struggle against violence targeting queer and trans women of color. I know that the misperception caused by these comments has hurt members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially those who have felt misrepresented or unprotected. For that, I am truly sorry.

I have already spoken with the officers of the National Lavender Greens Caucus and appreciate their willingness to engage in open, honest conversation on this matter. I am committed to continuing this dialogue beyond the immediate demands of this election season, to ensure that our party's values and my own are as clear and unwavering as ever.