A congressional hearing was abruptly adjourned on Tuesday after a representative misgendered a transgender member of Congress while introducing her. Representative Keith Self (R-TX), chairman of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee for Europe, introduced representative Sarah McBride (D-DE), as “Mr. McBride.” The transgender member of Congress then responded in kind, addressing Self as “Madame chair,” before she was interrupted by the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee, Representative William Keating (D-MA), who asked the chairman to repeat his introduction.
After Self referred to Representative McBride again as “Mr.” Keating put him on the spot: “‘Mr.?’ Chairman, you are out of order. Mr. chairman have you no decency? I mean, I have come to know you a little bit but this is not decent.” The Republican chair tried to brush off Keating’s challenge and continued the hearing, but the Massachusetts Democrat refused to let it slide: “you will not continue it with me unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way!” The subcommittee would not have a quorum with Keating absent, and since Representative Self was unwilling to refer to McBride in a manner consistent with her gender identity, he adjourned the hearing. Keating offered McBride a pat on the shoulder as he left. See the video below:
The Texas rep went on a right-wing talk show on Wednesday to justify his actions, posting a clip on social media. “I spent 25 years on active duty defending his right to live his life as he chooses,” Self said. “But I don’t have to participate in his fantasies.”
McBride’s presence as the the first transgender member of Congress has made her the target of right-wing discrimination since she took office in January. Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced a bill to ban transgender women from using the women’s bathroom on Capitol Hill, which she said was specifically targeted at McBride. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) then enacted a ban to the same effect. “I’m not here to fight about bathrooms,” McBride said in response to the ban. “I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families.”
