A congressional hearing turned chaotic and had to be adjourned after a Republican lawmaker misgendered Rep. Sarah McBride, a Democrat from Delaware. McBride is the highest-ranking openly transgender official in the U.S. government.
During the hearing, Rep. Keith Self, a Republican from Texas, referred to McBride as “Mr. McBride” instead of using her correct gender identity. McBride, who is a transgender woman, responded calmly by saying, “Thank you, Madam Chair.”
Before she could continue speaking, Democratic Rep. Bill Keating from Massachusetts, the ranking member of the committee, interrupted to address Self’s remarks. Keating asked Self to repeat his introduction, making it clear that he expected McBride to be addressed correctly. However, when Self repeated the incorrect reference, Keating strongly objected, telling him, “Mr. Chairman, you are out of order.”
As tensions rose, Self attempted to continue the hearing, but Keating firmly refused. “You will not continue it with me unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way,” he stated. Instead of correcting himself, Self chose to adjourn the hearing.
This was not the first time McBride has been misgendered. Earlier this year, Republican Rep. Mary E. Miller from Illinois referred to McBride as a “gentleman from Delaware” during a speech on the House floor.
Following the hearing, Miller supported Self’s stance and made a statement insisting that McBride is a man. “Enough with the lies. As God ordained and President Trump declared, there are only TWO GENDERS: Male and Female!” she wrote.
Another Republican lawmaker, Nancy Mace from South Carolina, also spoke out against McBride. Mace, who has previously clashed with McBride on transgender rights, made inflammatory remarks, calling McBride “a mentally ill man pretending to be a woman.” She added, “Biology. Science. The Left should try it sometime.”
Despite the hostility, McBride responded with dignity. She took to social media platform X to share her thoughts, writing, “No matter how I’m treated by some colleagues, nothing diminishes my awe and gratitude at getting to represent Delaware in Congress. It is truly the honor and privilege of a lifetime. I simply want to serve and to try to make this world a better place.”
In addition to the misgendering controversy, Mace has introduced a bill aimed at preventing transgender women, including McBride, from using women’s restrooms in the Capitol. She defended the proposal by claiming it was about “basic safety and privacy.” She echoed a common but false narrative that portrays transgender individuals as threats in public restrooms. “I’m not going to stand for a man — someone with a penis — in the women’s locker room. That’s not OK,” Mace stated.
The hearing’s abrupt ending and the ongoing political debate highlight the deep divide over transgender rights in U.S. politics. While McBride continues to advocate for equality with grace, conservative lawmakers are pushing back with policies and rhetoric that challenge her right to be recognized as a woman.
