Updated on May 7, 2026, at 5:17 pm to include statements from the Steel City Stonewall Democrats and the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.
Allegheny County Council President Pat Catena is apparently so desperate to cling to political relevance that he’s resorted to mailing transphobic culture war propaganda in a Democratic primary campaign for Pennsylvania’s 45th House District.
In a campaign mailer attacking Democratic primary opponent Brittany Bloam, Catena leans heavily on right-wing talking points about “transgender athletes,” “socialism,” and the “extreme left,” rhetoric that would feel more at home in a MAGA Facebook group than a Democratic primary in Allegheny County.
The mailer repeatedly refers to Bloam as “The Opponent” while accusing her of being backed by “an EXTREME LEFT GROUP THAT ADVOCATES FOR TRANSGENDER ATHLETES in our sports.”
The transphobia is the centerpiece of the attack.
Catena is intentionally invoking one of the most aggressively weaponized anti-trans narratives in American politics: the false idea that trans people, especially trans youth, are threats that must be excluded from public life. It’s a strategy Republicans across the country have used to manufacture moral panic, target LGBTQ communities, and distract from actual governance.
Now, an Allegheny County Democrat is using the same playbook.
Let’s be clear, nobody sends a mailer like this unless they believe attacking trans people is politically useful.
The design itself reads like a fever dream of suburban reactionary politics. Giant capital letters scream “EXTREME LEFT.” “SOCIALISM isn’t FREE” appears in bright red. Sports-ball graphics float beside warnings about “transgender athletes.” The overall effect is less “serious Democratic candidate” and more “Nextdoor comment section with a campaign budget.”
Catena’s campaign must know it cannot win on enthusiasm, vision, or policy, and instead hopes to generate fear, resentment, and confusion.
Mailers like this do not exist in a vacuum. Trans Pennsylvanians are already living through escalating political hostility nationwide, including legislation targeting healthcare access, school participation, bodily autonomy, and public existence itself. The “trans athlete” panic has become one of the most common gateway narratives used to make broader anti-trans discrimination appear socially acceptable.
Catena’s mailer contributes directly to that climate. It sends a message far beyond this one election that trans people are acceptable collateral damage in the pursuit of political power.
If a Democratic County Council President is comfortable trafficking in transphobic messaging during a local primary, what exactly distinguishes him from the politicians Democrats claim to oppose?
Brittany Bloam has now been forced into a race where her opponent is attempting to score points by associating her with trans inclusion and progressive politics as though those are scandals requiring public warning labels.
That should alarm everyone paying attention to the direction of local political discourse in Allegheny County. Especially because desperation this obvious rarely arrives quietly.
The Pennsylvania primary election is May 19, 2026.
Statement from the Steel City Stonewall Democrats:
For Immediate Release:
Stonewall Democrats Condemn and Call for an Apology for Transphobic Mailer
Steel City Stonewall Democrats
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
2026-05-07
The Steel City Stonewall Democrats condemn the transphobic mailer sent by “Friends of Pat Catena” from the candidate’s home address to the residents of Pennsylvania House District 45. We especially rebuke the mailer’s attack on transgender children. Finally, we call on Pat Catena, President of Allegheny County Council, to release both a full rejection of the transphobic mailer and a public apology.
Catena’s political advertising attacks children for talking points. He implies that school sports belong not to all children but only to cisgender children. He casts transgender children as an “other” in their own schools and communities and encourages discrimination against them. Adults, parents, and community leaders should not encourage the viewpoint that only some children need care. Our leaders need to be committed to including and protecting all children, not singling out children who are vulnerable.
The mailer makes a statement implying that Pat Catena would not protect transgender children participating in sports, claiming that his opponent would protect school age children. More than 1% of these children are trans, nonbinary, or intersex; like other children they face difficulties in learning who they are and growing into their bodies. In addition to the normal ups and downs of childhood, they must deal with adults who threaten their physical, medical, and social safety, as well as other children who copy those adults’ behavior. These children deserve fair treatment at school, and they do not deserve to be an issue on a political mailer. The adults they see around them–both in government and those who directly support them–must do better.
We must hear directly from County Council President Pat Catena, that he is committed to protecting ALL the children of Allegheny County, and not only the ones deemed to be “deserving” of safety and equality. The people of Allegheny County are facing multiple cost of living crises and rather than solutions, this campaign mailer seeks to sow divisions. The people of Allegheny County need an apology and a full rebuke of the transphobic mailer.
Statement from the Allegheny County Democratic Committee
We are aware of a campaign mailer distributed by an endorsed Democratic candidate that includes the Allegheny County Democratic Committee’s logo and contains language harmful to the transgender community. We want to be clear: the County Committee leadership does not support or stand behind speech using identity-based attacks.
The Allegheny County Democratic Committee rejects hate speech and discrimination in all forms. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect, inclusion, and dignity for all people. That commitment includes supporting and uplifting transgender and LGBTQ+ communities. We oppose rhetoric that undermines their humanity or safety.
Our annual endorsement process carries weight and using the power of this distinction to spread harm threatens the integrity of the endorsement. Our committee members dedicate time and energy to support our candidates because they believe they are strong representations of the Democratic Party.
We believe candidates seeking office as Democrats carry a responsibility to reflect these principles in both word and action. As the preamble of our bylaws states:
“We, the Democrats of the County of Allegheny, united in a common purpose, hereby rededicate ourselves and our Party to the principles which have historically sustained our Party. These principles include the concept that government exists to serve the people; the concern for the promotion of the well-being of all people, and thus the willingness to listen to the needs, hopes and aspirations of the people; the promotion of individual freedom and initiative; and equal justice for all citizens under the law.”
We encourage all candidates to uphold these principles as they seek office and represent us in government.
The Trans Lifeline is available to anyone seeking support, they are available 24/7 at 877-565-8860.
– Chair Kate Garfinkel and Vice Chair John Ukenye