On Tuesday, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX) faced off in a debate for the Texas Senate race the only one of its kind. Viewers had mixed feelings on the debate, but the general consensus emerged that Allred demolished Cruz.The two clashed over issues ranging from immigration and abortion to transgender rights. Cruz continued to parrot far-right talking points, while Allred played a more centrist position for issues like LGBTQ+ rights, alienating some LGBTQ+ viewers who pointed out parallels between his statements and a recent campaign ad where he railed against boys in girls sports. Related Dem releases ill-advised dog whistle ad against trans student athletes Texas U.S. Rep. Colin Allred said, I dont want boys playing girls sports. But polls show most voters dont care about the issue. During the debate, Cruz accused Allred of supporting allowing boys to play in girls sports, a crude and misgendered reference to trans girls participation on girls sports teams. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Allred responded, You dont have to be a former NFL linebacker to recognize a Hail Mary when you see one this is a desperate last-second attempt by Senator Cruz to distract you because he cant defend his own record.Listen, Im a dad. Im a Christian. Of course, I dont support these ridiculous things that hes talking about, but what he wants you thinking about is kids in bathrooms, so youre not thinking about women in hospitals, because its indefensible, Allred added, referencing his earlier comment that Cruzs support of abortion restrictions have caused doctors to refuse life-saving care to pregnant women.Trans journalist Erin Reed wrote of Allreds response on X, Allreds response to the trans question just now in the debate was not great. Clearly spell out how you feel about the transgender sports issue. I dont support boys playing girls sports, but look, Allred's response to the trans question just now in the debate was not great."Clearly spell out how you feel about the transgender sports issue""I don't support boys playing girls sports, but look" pic.twitter.com/fKuF04fsRH Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) October 16, 2024It was some back and forth, Cruz flopped a bit too by citing Imane Khelif as a man in boxing but Allred was pressured and flustered. He tried to deflect but his earlier ad made it harder, Reed added.It was some back and forth, Cruz flopped a bit too by citing Imane Khelif as a "man in boxing," but Allred was pressured and flustered. He tried to deflect but his earlier ad made it harder. Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) October 16, 2024 Allred attempted to avoid trans issues as much as possible. When prompted about trans inclusion in teen sports, he said, When Ted Cruz starts talking about teen sports, you gotta watch out because the only position he ever played was left out. Im not trying to be mean, senator, but sit this one out please.Allred: When Cruz starts talking about teen sports, you gotta watch out because the only position he ever played was left out. Im not trying to be mean but sit this one out pic.twitter.com/EGVQ6ZTlrm Acyn (@Acyn) October 16, 2024As a whole, Allred was dismissive about trans rights throughout the debate. After responding to Cruzs accusation about trans athletes, Allred quickly transitioned into a discussion about abortion.All of a sudden, the Protector of Women and Girls, is gonna be Senator Cruz Ted Cruz, who thinks its personally reasonable if a girl is raped by a relative of hers, is a victim of incest, has to give birth to it, Allred said before going on to criticize Cruzs voting record. Allred on Cruz: "He wants you thinking about kids in bathrooms so you're not thinking about women in hospitals." pic.twitter.com/IyFcySQju4 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 16, 2024Nevertheless, the consensus on trans issues is that Cruz is much worse than Allred, although Reed feels that Allreds rhetoric could create a dangerous pipeline for other Democratic candidates.As expected, too, Cruz cited his vote on the Save Womens Sports Bill and the Equality Act. Ugly. Gross. Dehumanizing for trans people in the state. And the defense was not great from Allred, and Cruz just was flatly transphobic, continued Reed. As expected, too, Cruz cited his vote on the "Save Women's Sports bill" and the Equality Act.Ugly. Gross. Dehumanizing for trans people in the state. And the defense was not great from Allred, and Cruz just was flatly transphobic. Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) October 16, 2024Cruz cited Allreds voting record, incredulously talking about the Equality Act, federal legislation that would enshrine anti-discrimination protections for trans people. Cruz argued that it would have allowed for men playing in womens sports, even though the law merely adds gender identity to pre-existing civil rights laws that prohibit sex-based discrimination in public accommodations.Cruz stated that the Equality Act would allow boys to be able to go in girls bathrooms, but the legislation would allow no such thing. Instead, it would allow trans women to enter womens bathrooms because they are women.Cruz also criticized Allred for voting against anti-trans bills that would have eliminated trans women from womens sports. He further attacked Allred for supporting House Resolution 269, or the Transgender Bill of Rights, which makes only brief mention of sports and instead focuses on protecting trans people from discrimination. Cruz concluded by attacking Allred for opposing bans on gender-affirming care for minors and drag shows for those in the military. Allred defended these decisions by stating that he merely opposes discrimination. He then went back to attacking Cruzs attempt to use the votes as a distraction.This back and forth is mirrored for other issues. Allred attacked Cruzs record on in-vitro fertilization (IVF), a method of child conception used by many LGBTQ+ individuals. IVF didnt need protecting until he got his way of going after it, Allred said. No one was thinking that we need to protect IVF, until he was singularly responsible for pursuing and putting in judges at the district court level and the circuit court level and the Supreme Court level at those who put at risk this technology I will always protect IVF, Allred said, while talking about Cruzs support for the Personhood Amendment, which heavily restricts IVF.Allred: IVF didnt need protecting until he got his way.. When he ran for President in 2016, he supported the personhood amendment, that would make IVF illegal but would also ban certain forms of birth control pic.twitter.com/e5ceYkSiOZ Acyn (@Acyn) October 16, 2024Cruz denied supporting this amendment. In 2016, the anti-abortion organization Georgia Right to Life endorsed Cruz after he pledged to support a personhood amendment to the Constitution that would define fertilized eggs as humans who deserve legal protections against murder, The Dallas Morning News reported.Allred hammered in on Cruzs opposition to abortion rights too. Senator Cruz just called himself pro-life. Youre not. Its not pro-life to deny women care so long that they cant have children anymore To every Texas woman at home.. when he says hes pro-life, he doesnt mean yours, Allred said. Allred: Senator Cruz just called himself pro-life. Youre not. Its not pro-life to deny women care so long that they cant have children anymore To every Texas woman at home.. when he says hes pro-life, he doesnt mean yours pic.twitter.com/gDQsCeIJFr Acyn (@Acyn) October 16, 2024Cruz, throughout the debate, also dodged the question of whether he supports abortions in instances of rape and incest. Im curious, why do you keep asking me that? Cruz said to a debate moderator when prompted about abortion.Numerous commenters on X said they felt Allred won the debate.Never seen a linebacker punt a senator before, said George Conway, a conservative lawyer who has been involved with TheLincoln Project, a political action coalition of former Republicans who oppose former President Donald Trump. Never seen a linebacker punt a senator before https://t.co/iWiZhAJmUX George Conway (@gtconway3d) October 16, 2024wow, @ColinAllredTX just destroyed @tedcruz in the debate tonight. showed cruz has zero integrity, is not a principled conservative, and only looks out for himself. Look forward to voting for Allred during early voting, wrote Matthew Dowd, a former strategist for President George W. Bush.wow, @ColinAllredTX just destroyed @tedcruz in the debate tonight. showed cruz has zero integrity, is not a principled conservative, and only looks out for himself. Look forward to voting for Allred during early voting. Matthew Dowd (@matthewjdowd) October 16, 2024 Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott wrote, Colin Allred is having a remarkably effective debate against Ted Cruz. Just eviscerating his all hat and no cattle views on immigration.Colin Allred is having a remarkably effective debate against Ted Cruz. Just eviscerating his all hat and no cattle views on immigration. pic.twitter.com/WH3xs7ijgP Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) October 16, 2024Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.