Outrage as GOP Rep Keith Self misgenders trans colleague Sarah McBride at House subcommittee hearing

WASHINGTON, DC: The Internet erupted after Republican Representative Keith Self (R-Texas) appeared to deliberately misgender his Democratic colleague Sarah McBride (D-Delaware) during a House subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, March 11.

The House Foreign Affairs subcommittee meeting on arms control and US assistance to Europe was adjourned prematurely after Self introduced McBride as "mister."

McBride - the first openly transgender person elected to Congress - also retorted back at the misgendering by calling Self "Madam Chair."

Keith Self refuses to introduce Sarah McBride using her preferred title

Keith Self, who heads the subcommittee on Europe, addressed the 34-year-old representative as "the congressman from Delaware," to the shock of the other Congress members, as reported by The Hill. 

Soon, McBride retorted back, saying, "Thank you, Madam Chair," as Rep Bill Keating (D-Massachusetts) jumped in to speak in McBride's favor. 

Calling out the chairman’s action as "out of order," Keating said, "Mr Chairman, have you no decency? I mean, I’ve come to know you a little bit, but this is not decent."

Unperturbed, Self replied, "We will continue this hearing."

A horrified Keating interjected, "You will not continue it with me unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way."

Self then adjourned the hearing before the representatives dispersed. 

Later, Self took to X (formerly Twitter) to defend his controversial move. Referencing one of the first executive orders President Donald Trump signed after taking office for the second time, the 71-year-old wrote, "It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female."

Meanwhile, McBride wrote on X, "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."

Internet rallies behind Sarah McBride for standing up for herself

As the exchange went viral on the internet, the netizens were quick to take sides, with one group slamming the Texan Republican for his intentional misgendering. 

One wrote, "Unfortunately this administration is going to be ok with this behavior," and another said, "I will never understand this whole 'Mr McBride' thing. Is it supposed to be some kind of gotcha moment or something? It just makes them look petty and rude. Rep McBride to my knowledge has not instigated anything. They're just scapegoating her to showboat on party lines."

"I hope this is the start of seeing both Ms McBride standing up to the disrespect she is being given and also seeing more and more House members speaking up in support of her," a person remarked. 

"Why not just McBride :/ I don’t blame Sarah for hitting back," another wrote in support of the Delaware Democrat. 

"@RepKeithSelf starting a 'professional' tizzy over introductions, and then being mad about how someone addresses you is a joke. Your double edged sword has no place in government - as your people say 'snowflake.' I hope you have worse than the day you deserve," read another comment. 

One more shared, "Disrespectful. Unnecessarily rude. Rep McBride has introduced herself as a woman. Until you’ve walked a mile in her shoes, you don’t know what brought her to this point. Her constituents voted for her and like the job she’s doing. If you don’t care, you should honor her request."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.