District Three candidate Tom Norton, R-Ada, used a slur against transgender people in a press release about gun background check laws.

In a press release sent out on Tuesday, Aug. 6, Norton said that "red flag laws are (sic) dangerous step for Americans for all walks of life, but particularly for veterans, blacks and trannies."

Norton went on to say that transgender and transitioning people are "reported to have a higher incidence of mental instability."

Multiple studies have shown transgender and gender non-conforming populations do have increased mental health issues when compared to gender-conforming populations.

However, an article in the December 2016 issue of the Journal of Psychological Nursing and Mental Health Services by Tamar C. Carmel and Laura Erickson-Schroth detailed those increases in mental health concerns are due to external factors.

The article stated current societal norms "stigmatizes and discriminates against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, subjecting them to chronic stress," and that transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in particular experience more negative stress within society.

According the to article, 90 percent of transgender people report being either harassed or mistreated at work, while 50 percent to 80 percent reported experiencing harassment, discrimination, victimization, violence or forced sex. These percentages increase when talking specifically about LGBTQ people of color.

Some studies show more than half of transgender and gender non-conforming populations have depression and a survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force showed 41 percent of transgender and gender non-conforming respondents had a history of suicide attempts.

"Transgender and gender non-conforming people experience societal micro-aggressions on a daily basis, and a majority experience more overt discrimination and even violence in any number of life domains," the article states. "(They) are disproportionately affected by discrimination, harassment and violence, leading to mental health disparities, such as increased rates of depression, substance use disorders, self-injury and suicide and suicide attempts."

Norton is one of five Republicans running in a primary to unseat Rep. Justin Amash, I-Cascade, who left the Republican party in July.

Throughout his campaign, Norton has released abrasive content on his Twitter feed. He referred to Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Dearborn, as "bats**t crazy" and a member of the "#clownsquad." A campaign video about gender identity and transition surgeries featured his children and included language about Amash being "confused."

The video ends with Norton taking a butcher's knife to a cut of pork, using sexual innuendos in referring to transition operations.

"When I get to Washington, I'm going to focus on cutting the pork — not the sausage."

Justin Amash wants to put Donald Trump on the Chopping Block.



It's Amash who needs to go.



I'm Tom Norton, and I'm going to cut the waste -- NOT Sausages -- in Washington, D.C.



Donate to my campaign by clicking the link below. #ChopAmash



https://t.co/jJKtzzxrs4 pic.twitter.com/OHB2tmRgzj

— Tom Norton for Congress (@ForNorton) July 17, 2019

Norton has described himself as a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump. His campaign has garnered attention from national far-right figures like Laura Loomer and Jack Posobiec, after Norton's Instagram account was temporarily suspended.

Norton has also tweeted that Tlaib, who was born in the U.S., should "deport herself." He's shared false information about Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota, and the district she represents in Congress.

Norton's campaign is being outraised by Amash and Ionia native State Rep. Jim Lower, R-Greenville, as well as Democrats Hillary Scholten and Nick Colvin, another Ionia native.

Norton concluded the press release by expressing his concern for transgender individuals' ability to bear arms.

"While I might not agree with their life choices, I certainly want every American to be free to live in safety with the ability to protect themselves without fear of being SWATTed at the first report of mental instability."

— Contact reporter Arpan Lobo at alobo@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @ArpanLobo. Contact editor Audra Gamble at audra.gamble@hollandsentinel.com. Follow her on Twitter @SentinelAudra.

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