HOUSTON — “Should we trust women?” Vice President Kamala Harris posed this question to an enthusiastic crowd of 30,000 at Shell Energy Stadium on Friday.

With only 11 days remaining until the Nov. 5 election, Harris emphasized a pivotal aspect of her campaign: the right to reproductive healthcare. This has been a central theme since the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade, and as she faces a close race against Republican Donald Trump, she is doubling down on this issue.

Speaking in Texas, Harris urged voters to cast their ballots for her and other Democrats to help reinstate abortion rights.

However, her message highlights a growing disparity in perspectives between men and women on various national issues and their political preferences. According to the latest YSL News/Suffolk University poll, 53% of women support Harris, compared to 36% for Trump, whereas men show similar figures, with 53% favoring Trump and 37% supporting Harris.

Men, however, do not prioritize abortion and women’s rights highly; only 2% identified it as their primary concern, while 17% of women did. Across both genders, economic issues and inflation were the top priority, but they resonated more with men.

Before Harris took the stage in the hot and humid Texas weather, Gilbert Landry and his wife, Karen, eagerly awaited her speech. The couple had waited over three hours with family and friends to enter the stadium.

“This is the first time in my life that I’ve witnessed something this remarkable,” Gilbert Landry shared.

At 72, a former military member and long-time federal employee, Landry understands that Harris and the Democrats have a challenge with the male demographic, as he believes Trump appeals strongly to men, particularly young Black men, due to his narrative of opportunity.

“Men feel a lot of pressure,” he remarked. “Especially those struggling to find their footing in this country.”

However, Landry emphasizes that men must take initiative and educate themselves about politics to make informed voting choices.

He and his wife, Karen, are also concerned about the rights of their two daughters.

“I don’t support Trump’s policies that strip women of control over their own bodies,” Karen expressed, referring to the reversal of Roe v. Wade. “I simply don’t agree with that.”

In another line winding around the stadium, Houston resident Joel Avendano awaited entry with his partner. Avendano, 40, expressed his belief that Harris can be a uniting force for the country.

“She’s here to bring us together,” he stated, encouraging men to vote for her. He also stressed that women’s reproductive rights are important to men as well.

“Women’s issues are everyone’s issues,” he affirmed.

Rueben Butler, 65, from Houston, eagerly awaited Harris after having cast his vote for her early. Donning a shirt representing her sorority, AKA, he is not overly worried about the evident shift of men from the Democratic Party. What truly matters to him is that they are well-informed about the candidates and their policies.

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and choices,” he stated. “But please don’t make those choices in ignorance.”

While addressing not only the attendees in the stadium but also those watching from home, Harris urged women to choose candidates who will safeguard their health. She also appealed to their male relatives to support this cause.

“I see the men here, and I appreciate you,” Harris expressed during her rally. “The men in this country don’t want this.”