One other thing, because I do think this is also important. In the presented hypothetical, "highly unpopular among educated people" is an important condition which I'd love to see data for in the case in question. That will require carefully pinning down by what views we really think Kay Coles James holds, though; I suspect that support for her views varies quite significantly based on that, and also based on geography and age, after controlling for education.

I, personally, would not be surprised if 30%, or more, of "educated people" across the US agreed that some (though perhaps not all) of the issues she raises are valid issues that need to be addressed.

Now maybe this just makes the situation scarier for trans people, of course....