Republican Keith Self takes up the right’s transphobic torch with ‘Mr. McBride’ outburst

A congressional hearing was recently brought to an abrupt end following a spat between Republican politician Keith Self and Democrat William Keating over the misgendering of Sarah McBride. 

The outburst occurred during a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe hearing, when Self incorrectly introduced McBride — the first openly transgender lawmaker in Congress — as “Mr. McBride.” The Delaware Democrat quickly shot back with her own intentional misgendering, responding with a “thank you, Madam Chair.” That’s where Keating, the top Democrat on the subcommittee, chimed in with for McBride, asking Self to repeat his introduction correctly. 

Keith Self adjourned a hearing on arms control, security and assistance to Europe after refusing to address Sarah McBride, the first trans person in U.S. Congress, as Madam.

Self refers to McBride as ‘Mr. McBride’, in which she responds with ‘Thank you Madam Chair.’ pic.twitter.com/lGfTvcEr6s

— Pop Base (@PopBase) March 12, 2025

Noticeably agitated, Keating demanded that Self “repeat what you just said when you introduced a duly elected representative from the United States of America, please!” Self again addressed McBride as “Mr.,” prompting further outrage from Keating. “Mr. Chairman, have you no decency?” he asked Self. “I mean, I’ve come to know you a little bit, but this is not decent.” Keating then cut off Self’s attempt to move on, saying he would “not continue with me unless you introduce a duly elected representative the right way.”

Self then abruptly bumped his gavel and declared the hearing adjourned. In the fallout, Self took to social media to reshare a clip of the heated exchange and double-down on his transphobic actions. He pointed to many attacks on the trans community launched by his istration. “It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female,” Self wrote, clearly misunderstanding that trans women are, in fact, women. 

It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female. https://t.co/cVcYdPWa1O

— Rep. Keith Self (@RepKeithSelf) March 11, 2025

For her part, McBride seemed to vaguely address the controversy in her own social media post, writing that “no matter how I’m treated by some colleagues, nothing diminishes my awe and gratitude at getting to represent Delaware in Congress.” Meanwhile, on social media, McBride received from s who described Self’s behavior as “unprofessional” and praised Keating “for standing up” in McBride’s defence. 

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time McBride has been subject to hateful social media posts by Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Congresswoman Mary Miller introduces Transgender House member Sarah McBride as 'the gentleman from Delaware, Mr. McBride.’pic.twitter.com/GrUmfOlQhF

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) February 8, 2025

This Republican-led pile-on is the unfortunate result of the Trump istration’s broader curtailing of trans rights, which has seen the president move to ban trans people from military enlistment, ban trans women from women’s sports, and sign an executive order limiting trans healthcare for youth. Through it all, McBride has avoided taking the Republican rage bait and remained steadfast in her desire to help the people of Delaware.

---