Republican Misgenders Trans Congressperson At House Hearing, Confronted; Says He Is Following Trump

A House subcommittee hearing was adjourned in the US abruptly on March 11 after Republican chair on the panel, Keith Self of Texas misgendered Democratic Congresswoman Sarah McBride from Delware and even after being given a chance to correct himself, Self reiterated his words by addressing McBride 'Mr'.

Sarah McBride is the first openly transgender person elected to Congress.

When Self was confronted, he defended his address by stating that he is following the footsteps of United States President Donald Trump who clarified on his inaugural speech that US recognizes only two sexes - male and female.

Trump on the first day of assuming chair, signed executive orders to roll back protections for transgender people and terminating diversity, equity and inclusion programmes within the federal government.

He also signed an executive order in February, directing Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth to revise the Pentagon's policy on transgender troops, likely setting in motion a future ban on their military service.

What Happened At Subcommittee Hearing?

The hearing was conducted on arms control, international security and U.S. assistance to Europe and was participated by congresspersons from both parties.

According to The Washington Post, while speaking, the Republican chair of the subcommittee on Europe, Self, addressed McBride as “the representative from Delaware, Mr. McBride."

McBride in her immediate response addresses Self with "Thank you, Madam Chair."

But McBride was not the only person to call out Self, he was again interrupted by Rep. Bill Keating, the ranking Democrat from Massachusetts and asked him to address McBride again.

This time Self again called McBride 'mister'.

Hearing that, Keating stated, "Mr. Chairman you are out of order. Mr. Chairman, have you no decency?"

Not just that, Keating also told Self that session would not continue unless "you introduce a duly elected representative the right way."

Immediately, an enraged Self struck his gavel and declared the hearing adjourned.

Responses By Self & McBride

MacBride issued a statement after the incident where she said, "I was disappointed that the chair decided to end a committee hearing early."

"I was prepared to move forward with my questions for the subcommittee on nuclear nonproliferation and US support for democratic allies in Europe," she added.

McBride also took it to social media where she wrote, “No matter how I’m treated by some colleagues, nothing diminishes my awe and gratitude at getting to represent Delaware in Congress.”

“I simply want to serve and to try to make this world a better place,” she added.

According to The Washington Post, this is not the first time that McBride was misgendered or faced gender-based discrimination. In February, Rep. Mary E. Miller (R-Illinois) also misgendered her on the floor of the House.

Defending his address, Self shared the video of the confrontation on social media and wrote, "It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female.," as he referred to President Trump's inaugural speech.