House Hearing Erupts Over Misgendering of Rep. Sarah McBride
In a dramatic moment on Capitol Hill, a House hearing was abruptly adjourned after a tense exchange over the misgendering of Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress. It all unfolded during a session of the Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Europe when Republican Representative Keith Self of Texas addressed McBride incorrectly, referring to her as “Mr. McBride.” Without hesitation, McBride responded with a sharp retort, addressing Self as “Madam Chair,” making her point with an air of calm defiance.
The moment did not go unnoticed. Democratic Representative Bill Keating of Massachusetts immediately interjected, calling out Self’s misgendering and demanding that McBride be addressed correctly. However, rather than correcting himself, Self doubled down and repeated his remarks. Keating, visibly frustrated, turned to Self and asked, “Mr. Chairman, have you no decency?” The confrontation reached a boiling point when Keating made it clear that the hearing would not continue with his participation unless McBride was introduced properly. In response, Self slammed down his gavel and abruptly adjourned the hearing, cutting the discussion short and leaving a charged atmosphere in the room.
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The hearing was originally set to focus on the State Department’s policies regarding arms control and U.S. assistance to Europe. However, it quickly became a battleground over respect, dignity, and basic human decency. Following the hearing, McBride expressed her disappointment over its premature conclusion, stating that she had been fully prepared to engage in discussions regarding nuclear nonproliferation and U.S. support for democratic allies.
The incident has sparked widespread reactions, with some praising Keating for standing up against what they see as blatant disrespect, while others, including Self and his supporters, have framed the moment as a stance on their belief in recognizing only binary gender identities. Self later defended his remarks on social media, referencing past federal policies that defined gender in strictly biological terms. This is not the first time McBride has faced such treatment. Since her historic election, she has been a frequent target of certain conservative lawmakers. Just weeks after her victory, Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced a resolution aimed at barring transgender women from using female bathrooms in the Capitol, a move McBride dismissed as a political distraction.
McBride, who has consistently shown resilience in the face of such challenges, remains focused on her legislative duties. She has made it clear that she refuses to be baited into distractions and is committed to her role in Congress. This latest incident serves as yet another example of the ongoing struggles faced by transgender individuals in public office and beyond. However, it also highlights the allies willing to stand up in moments of injustice, as seen in Keating’s firm stance during the hearing.
As conversations about respect, identity, and representation continue to shape political discourse, moments like these serve as a reminder of the progress made and the challenges that remain. McBride’s presence in Congress is itself a historic step forward, and despite the opposition she faces, she remains undeterred in her commitment to serving her constituents with integrity and purpose.
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