Adam Hamilton defends trans rights
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Kansas Democrat Adam Hamilton, a megachurch pastor, defended trans people after Trump rescinded Biden-era protections.
His mixed record on trans issues faces scrutiny in his Senate race.
Background
Adam Hamilton is the founding and senior pastor of the Church of the Resurrection, a megachurch, and the Kansas Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Marshall. In a January 2025 sermon after Trump returned to the White House, Hamilton read out Biden-era executive orders on gender identity and LGBTQ protections that had been rescinded and described the pain that caused trans people. The remarks resurfaced in October 2026 when Breitbart reported on them, and Trump then attacked Hamilton at a rally.
How it unfolded
- Jan 20, 2021Biden issued Executive Order 13988, setting a nondiscrimination policy on gender identity and sexual orientation across education, employment, healthcare and housing.
- January 2025Hamilton delivered a sermon titled A Message to President Trump, reading descriptions of four Biden executive orders on gender identity and LGBTQ protections that had been rescinded.
- Sep 12, 2026Hamilton answered questions at the U.S. Senate debate at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson.
- Oct 20, 2026Breitbart reported on Hamilton's January 2025 sermon remarks.
- Oct 21, 2026Trump claimed at a rally that Hamilton 'openly mocks Jesus' while condemning his transgender stance.
- Oct 22, 2026LGBTQ Nation published an assessment of Hamilton's LGBTQ+ record.
- Oct 24, 2026Breitbart reported that the Church of the Resurrection encouraged gender-neutral terms instead of references to boys and girls in its kids ministry.
Who’s saying what
- Party
- Hamilton said the loss of 'basic fundamental protections' for trans people is painful and leads to 'tears and brokenness,' and called his church 'a safe place' where people 'don't have to be afraid.'
- Analysts
- LGBTQ Nation wrote that Hamilton's LGBTQ+ record 'isn't perfect' because he has voiced support for bans on trans athletes and gender-affirming surgeries for trans youth, but said this may help him win his 'ruby-red state.'
- Caution
- Trump claimed at a rally that Hamilton 'openly mocks Jesus' while condemning his transgender stance.
- Official
- The Church of the Resurrection said it encourages gender-neutral terms 'so that all kids feel welcome.'
Still unverified
LGBTQ Nation states it is not certain why Hamilton voiced support for bans on trans athletes and gender-affirming surgeries for trans youth, suggesting he may have done so to fend off transphobic political attacks and win moderate swing voters.