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Rep. Keith Self Reports: U.S. House Member Departs from Committee Hearing at Risk of Being “Misgendered.”

Analysis

A hearing on Capitol Hill spiraled out of control Wednesday when a House Foreign Relations Subcommittee hearing was forcibly adjourned after a blowup between Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) and Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), who made history as the first openly transgender member of Congress. The incident has triggered extensive conversations about respect, inclusion, and the struggles of transgender people in political spaces.

The Incident Unfolds

At a routine committee hearing on March 11, 2025, the chairman, Keith Self, mistakenly referred to Representative Sarah McBride as “Mr. McBride.” In his reply, McBride referred to Self as “Madam Chairman,” which further spotlighted the fact that Self was misgendered. Representative Bill Keating (D-MA) stepped in to note that Self should be using McBride’s correct pronouns. Self declined, saying he believed U.S. policy acknowledges only two sexes, which prompted him to cut the meeting short.

Responses from Lawmakers and Advocacy Groups

The incident sparked swift reactions from a variety of quarters.

“McBride did not get the respect he deserved from Representative Keating and this was disappointing,” the source said.
“All Members of Congress should be mindful and use decorum and be inclusive in their proceedings.”

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups criticized Self, calling her actions a microcosm of the fight for equal representation for transgender people. HRC issued a statement in support, urging Congress to adopt clear guidelines against misgendering.

Conservative commentators came to Self’s defense, coming down against the silencing of personal views in politics. Other lawmakers argued that the debate symbolizes a broader culture war over gender identity in America.

Wider Ramifications of the Incident

The feud between Self and McBride masks deeper problems over:

Setting Standards of Respect: The role of elected officials in accepting respectful discourse.
Policy & Legal Challenges: Absence of comprehensive policies on misgendering.
Public Views on Transgender Rights: How the larger national conversation on LGBTQ+ rights is affected by incidents like these.

The incident comes as state and federal laws addressing transgender rights are an entrenched political issue. Laws impacting the rights of transgender individuals in the areas of education, healthcare, and sports have been passed in several states in recent months.

Expert Perspectives on Misgendering in Politics

Experts say that addressing people by their incorrect gender in professional settings, particularly in government, can have far-reaching consequences.

“The language in politics matters,” Dr. Jennifer Weiss, a political science professor at Georgetown University, said.
“When public officials misgender colleagues, it can breed a hostile environment and send a message to constituents that the respect of identity should be optional, not the standard.”

Psychologists have also cautioned that misgendering adds to increased stress and mental health struggles for transgender people.

“The more transgender individuals are misgendered, the more they report anxiety and depression,” according to a 2023 study in the American Journal of Public Health.

Historical Context and Similar Incidents

The furor harkens back to earlier incidents of political misgendering.

In 2021, there was an infamous exchange in the U.S. House of Representatives when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) purposefully misgendered Rep. Marie Newman’s (D-IL) transgender daughter.
Such events underscore the fight for ongoing acceptance in government spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Internationally, similar arguments have been made.

There have been parliamentary arguments in the United Kingdom over language related to gender identity, with certain Members of Parliament refusing to recognize non-binary and transgender identities.

The Path Forward

To avoid similar conflicts going forward, experts say:

Establishing Clear Guidelines In Congress — such as how to refer to colleagues by their name and pronouns.
Mandatory Sensitivity Training – Holding workshops for legislators and staff regarding LGBTQ+ concerns.
Higher Penalties for Misgendering – Establishing ethical and procedural consequences for repeat offenders.
Public Awareness Campaigns – Teaching people the value of respectful language in political discourse.

Conclusion

The sudden end to the committee hearing has sent ripples of discussion across the country about respect, identity, and political debate. The incident is a microcosm of broader cultural and political contests erupting nationwide, as Americans grapple with debates over identity and access to the public space.

Regardless of whether policy changes will grow from this controversy, the ripple effect of this exchange will be felt long into the future.

FAQs

1. What is misgendering, and why is it important?

Misgendering refers to the act of referring to another person using incorrect pronouns or gendered language.

Why does it matter?
- Because it can be damaging, especially to transgender people, as it delegitimizes their identity and feeds discrimination.

2. How has Representative Keith Self armed up against the backlash?

So far, Representative Self has yet to formally apologize.
However, he defended himself, owning his beliefs regarding gender identity as a man and politician.

3. What are Congress’ policies on misgendering?

There are currently no official rules in Congress penalizing lawmakers who misgender colleagues.
More are pushing for clearer guidelines, though.

4. What impact do incidents such as this have on public opinion on transgender rights?

Such events might polarize public opinion, with some calling for stronger protections for transgender people from punishment, and others advocating for freedom of speech about gender identity.

5. How can we get everyone to have a seat at the table?

Exercising education and sensitivity training with penalties for breaking guidelines may make a document like this more respectful and inclusive and less degrading in the future.