A House committee hearing on arms control and international security was cut short yesterday after Texas Republican Rep. Keith Self intentionally misgendered transgender member Sarah McBride (D-DL), and refused to correct his mistake when he was called out on it.

The hearing, hosted by the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe on Tuesday, began like any other committee meeting, but soon turned ugly.

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“It is unacceptable to the undersigned organizations… for prominent Democrats to give cover to anti-LGBTQ+ arguments.”

“I now recognize the representative from Delaware, Mr. McBride,” Self said, to gasps from other committee members.

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Without skipping a beat, McBride replied politely, “Thank you, Madame chair.”

The subcommittee’s ranking Democrat, Rep. Bill Keating (MA), then interrupted the proceedings to admonish Self for the rude and disrespectful gesture.

Keating asked Self to repeat how he introduced Ms. McBride, and Self confirmed, without apology, that he referred to her as “Mr. McBride”.

“Mr. Chairman, you are out of order,” Keating replied. “Mr. Chairman, have you no decency? I mean, I have come to know you a little bit, but this is not decent.”

Self tried to downplay the issue and shift the subject back to the hearing, but Keating demanded that he introduce McBride properly, “lest this meeting be adjourned.” 

In response, Self did just that, gaveling the hearing adjourned. As the meeting broke up, Keating could be seen patting McBride on the shoulder.

LGBTQ+ rights activists and supporters have expressed disappointment with the Democratic party for their tepid response to the Trump administration’s attacks on the LGBTQ+ community.

A recent letter from the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, and other organizations urged Dems to do more to protect LGBTQ+ rights.

Many are applauding Keating for his willingness to take a stand for McBride, who is a frequent target of ridicule from her colleagues.

Had Keating ignored Self’s misgender, the hearing could have continued as usual, but it would have also set the precedent of allowing this type of discrimination to be seen as okay. Instead, Keating spoke up and set an example that Self’s insult would not be tolerated.

Keating gave Self a chance to apologize, correct his mistake, and continue the meeting, but Self wasn’t willing to do so.

“I was disappointed that the Chair decided to end a committee hearing early,” McBride said in a statement Tuesday night. “I was prepared to move forward with my questions for the Subcommittee on nuclear nonproliferation and US support for Democratic allies in Europe.”

Self responded with a post to X.

“It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female.”

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