A House Foreign Affairs subcommittee hearing ended abruptly on Tuesday after Representative Keith Self, a Republican from Texas, referred to Representative Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, as "Mr. McBride." The incident occurred during discussions focused on arms control and United States support for allies in Europe.
When called upon to speak, McBride swiftly responded, "Thank you, Madam Chair," deflecting the misgendering. Still, tensions escalated as Ranking Member Representative Bill Keatings, a Democrat from Massachusetts, interjected, urging Self to repeat his introduction. "Mr. Chairman, could you repeat your introduction again, please?" he asked firmly.
Self, clearly flustered, reiterated, "The representative from Delaware: Mr. McBride," sticking to his misgendering stance. Keatings, visibly upset, pressed on, "Mr. Chairman, you are out of order. Mr. Chairman, have you no decency?"
The confrontation showcased more than just personal affronts, highlighting the broader struggle for transgender rights within the political arena. Before Self's insistence led to the abrupt adjournment of the hearing, he attempted to justify his remarks, claiming they adhered to "the standard on the floor of the House."
After the meeting, Self took to social media, controversially declaring, "It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female," invoking sentiments echoing the Trump administration's policies, which have been criticized for failing to acknowledge the rights and existence of transgender, non-binary, and intersex individuals.
The clash on the House floor is not the first time McBride has been misgendered by her Republican colleagues. Prior to her first floor speech on February 8, 2025, Representative Mary Miller from Illinois addressed McBride as the “gentleman from Delaware,” another incident of misgendering she let slide at the time. This has led to significant criticism aimed at several Republican representatives who have made disparaging remarks, contributing to what many see as systemic discrimination against transgender individuals.
McBride, who won her election to the House last year, expressed disappointment at the premature ending of the committee hearing. "I was prepared to move forward with my questions for the Subcommittee on nuclear nonproliferation and US support for Democratic allies in Europe," she said, signifying her focus on legislative duties over identity politics.
The reluctance of some members of Congress to recognize McBride's identity reflects wider societal tensions surrounding transgender rights and recognition. Following the hearing, Keatings stated, "You will not continue it with me, Mr. Chairman, until you introduce the duly elected representative the right way," standing not just as McBride's ally but as a champion of equality and decency.
Clearly, this current wave of confrontations is fueled by right-wing rhetoric and policies aimed at minimizing the rights of transgender individuals. Self's comments were met with mixed reactions from other congressional members and sparked discussions surrounding established practices of addressing lawmakers, pointing out disparities between gender identity recognition and their political duties.
These altercations occur against the backdrop of newly enacted rules barring transgender women from using women’s restrooms on Capitol Hill. This policy has been backed by prominent GOP representatives and reflects the rising trend of legislative actions oriented around discrimination targeting LGBTQ+ communities.
Following these events, Representative Nancy Mace from South Carolina invited backlash for her inflammatory comments about transgender rights, only intensifying the atmosphere within Congress. Mace was previously known for her resolution to ban transgender women from using women's restrooms after McBride's election.
Throughout all this, McBride has maintained her stance on the importance of legislative action over identity politics. Reflecting on her experiences, she articulated, "Honestly, every Republican I’ve interacted with has been warm and welcoming, save for a couple." This remark demonstrates her willingness to continue engaging with her colleagues regardless of their positions on the issues affecting her community.
This recent incident is emblematic of the broader discrimination faced by transgender individuals, especially within politics, as they strive to find representation and equality. It raises important questions about how lawmakers can navigate personal biases within professional settings, especially when legislative discussions should ideally focus on the common good rather than individual identity. The persistent misgendering of McBride not only undermines her legitimacy but also dehumanizes the experiences of countless other transgender individuals.