Massachusetts Representative Bill Keating defended a transgender colleague during a subcommittee meeting on Wednesday, but WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller indicated this fight might not benefit Democrats, according to surveys.
Tensions run high currently in Washington. Consequently, the typically calm Cape Cod Congressman Keating became upset at a subcommittee hearing when Republican chairman, Representative Keith Self of Texas, addressed Democratic Representative Sarah McBride of Delaware, the sole openly transgender Congress member, as "Mr. McBride."
Rep. Keating Supports Rep. McBride
Delaware lawmaker runs to be first openly transgender member ... (Source: www.axios.com)
This type of gender identity dismissal is something McBride claims she has grown used to and chooses to disregard. She told CBS News last autumn, as Republicans publicly discussed banning her from House bathrooms, "I want my approach of respecting everyone to contrast with the disrespect we see right now."
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Keating, however, refused to stay silent. "You are out of order, Mr. Chairman, have you no decency?" he shouted at Self, who promptly ended the hearing and left quickly.
This exchange recalls a notable moment in political history from 1944 when Boston attorney Joseph Welch challenged notorious red-baiting Senator Joseph McCarthy by asking, "Have you no sense of decency, sir?" That confrontation started McCarthy's downfall.
Could history repeat itself? Consider how a Republican advertisement highlighting Kamala Harris's support for taxpayer-funded sex change operations influenced voters toward Trump. The president has continued opposing transgender rights, including prohibiting transgender athletes in women's sports.
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Keating's fellow Representative Seth Moulton made news last fall when he also expressed opposition to transgender women participating in school sports, and recent surveys show many Democrats share this view.
Polls Show Support for Trans Restrictions
New poll shows Americans overwhelmingly oppose anti ... (Source: www.pbs.org)
A Pew Research study found increasing backing over the past three years among all adults for limits on trans athletes, with Democratic opinions following the overall pattern.
An even larger shift supports stopping health care workers from helping minors undergo gender transition. The same trend appears regarding bathroom access restrictions.
This explains why McBride prefers to respond with dignity and occasional humor, as she did during this hearing by politely saying, "Thank you, Madame Chair" after Self's rudeness.
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Maine Governor Janet Mills recently confronted the president directly on this issue, stating, "We'll see you in court." Most of these disagreements will likely be settled through legal channels.
But the reality is that in public opinion polls, focusing on this topic, as visibly-angered Keating did during that session, seems politically unwise for Democrats.
Trans actress Hunter Schafer furious as new passport lists her as 'male' after Trump's executive order
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Transgender performer Hunter Schafer is discussing the "wake-up call" she encountered following Donald Trump's January inauguration. The 26-year-old actor, recognized for performances in 'Euphoria' and 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes', recently uploaded an eight-minute video to her social accounts. This video detailed the apparent consequences of the President's gender-related executive order, according to The Express.
When assuming leadership, Trump promptly signed an order acknowledging just two genders and establishing a person's sex as male or female determined by birth assignment - effectively removing legal safeguards for transgender people. Due to this new regulation, Schafer indicated her replacement passport now identifies her as "male" rather than "female."
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Schafer Describes 'Tough Reality Check' After Viewing New Passport Gender Designation
Euphoria''s Hunter Schafer 'Shocked' Her New Passport Has ... (Source: people.com)
Schafer explained that thieves stole her passport in Barcelona, necessitating a replacement document. Despite completing the application in her usual manner, when the new passport arrived, it designated her sex as "male."
In her social media update, Schafer stated, "I seldom post anymore but I received quite a tough reality check today and believed it was vital to share with those who might be listening."
She added, "I believe most people recall that during Trump's first presidential day, he authorized an executive order establishing just two genders, male and female determined at birth."
"Because of this action, the Bureau of Consular Affairs has suspended passport applications seeking gender marker alterations or renewals or new requests with gender indicators differing from an applicant's birth-assigned gender," the actor pointed out.
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Previously, American citizens could indicate their gender for passports and opt for an "X" designation, available for non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming persons.
"My first thought about this, since our president talks extensively, was that I needed to see proof before believing it, and today I witnessed that proof on my new passport," noted the 'Cuckoo' performer.
Hunter Schafer attends the 'Kinds Of Kindness' Red Carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 17, 2024, in Cannes, France (Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)
"Male, so...," divulged Schafer, then musing, "For clarity, my gender identifiers first changed during my teenage years when I initially received my driver's license, and every passport afterward has shown female. This has never created issues before."
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After explaining her need for a replacement passport, the 'Kinds of Kindness' performer mentioned she marked "female" on her application form. Yet, she felt shock when her newly issued passport arrived with her gender designation altered to "male."
"This makes me think that the offices handling passports and similar documents must now verify original certificates," Schafer explained, then added, "I'm not certain what exactly changed in the processing procedures, but this represents the first occurrence since I modified my gender marker."
She commented dejectedly, "It's been almost ten years now, and I strongly suspect this directly results from the leadership currently governing our country."
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Schafer States Her Video Aims Not to 'Spread Fear' or 'Gain Sympathy'
Hunter Schafer reveals that her new passport now lists her sex as male instead of female, following Trump’s instatement:
“I’m not making this post to fear-monger, or to create drama, or receive consolation, I don’t need it. But I do think it’s worth posting to sort of note the… pic.twitter.com/C9DDJEtf4u
Later in her recording, Hunter Schafer emphasized that her purpose for sharing the video was not to "spread fear, generate controversy, or receive sympathy" but instead to highlight the transgender community's current circumstances under the present administration.
She also expressed worry for individuals who don't match the description of a "well-known transgender woman who is white and slim and meets current beauty expectations."
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"I feel somewhat frightened by how these policies gradually take effect because events simply start occurring, similar to what we've observed in historical increases of authoritarian control and everything this new leadership somewhat embodies," Schafer expressed.
The 26-year-old continued, "Much discussion happens, then actual changes begin, and we gradually accept our new conditions."
President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office on January 20, 2025, in Washington, DC (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
"And I simply feel compelled to communicate that these aren't just statements, this reflects reality happening now, and nobody, regardless of their situation - no matter their wealth, race, appearance or other factors - remains unaffected. This represents our actual situation," Schafer emphasized about current developments.
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She explained that although she hasn't used her new identification yet, she expects to "explain myself to immigration officers and that entire process much more frequently than I'd prefer, or is actually needed" once she begins traveling again.
"I also want to mention that I honestly don't care that they marked an M on my passport," stated the 'Euphoria' star, then clarifying, "It truly changes nothing about my identity or transgender status. Still, it creates additional obstacles in daily life."
Hunter Schafer arrives at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 10, 2024, in Beverly Hills, California (Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)
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"And thinking about other transgender women experiencing similar situations, or other transgender individuals, the challenges multiply when considering all the difficulties this introduces into actual daily circumstances," the performer noted.
"Transgender individuals are magnificent. Our existence will continue forever. My transgender identity remains permanent. A symbol on official documents cannot alter that fact. This leadership deserves criticism," Schafer expressed, before ending with, "I lack specific solutions for this situation, but I believed sharing this information was essential. This situation exists in reality."
Congressman Al Green Says He'll File Articles of Impeachment Against Trump
Representative Al Green - the Democratic lawmaker who was removed from the House of Representatives for disrupting President Donald Trump's Congressional address Tuesday - reveals he's retaliating against POTUS by preparing impeachment articles. The Texas congressman visited "TMZ Live" Thursday to discuss his dramatic removal during Trump's speech and announced his intention to submit impeachment articles to challenge what he describes as the president's "incivility."
Rep. Al Green Censured Over Medicaid Protest During Trump's ... (Source: www.rollingstone.com)
Green did not specify when this filing might happen, but stated Democrats need to practice some "righteous incivility" of their own to counter the president's actions. The congressman believes Trump exploits the Democratic Party's polite behavior, citing Tuesday's speech as a perfect example - while Democrats remained quiet, Trump labeled them "lunatics" and took a viral jab at Senator Elizabeth Warren.
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Green, however, did not stay silent. He stood up and shouted back at the president, challenging Trump's claim of a "mandate" before security escorted him out. Green admits he hadn't planned to speak out but felt emotionally compelled to defend Medicaid. His outburst proved costly - 224 of his fellow legislators, including 10 Democrats, subsequently voted to censure him for his conduct.
Houston Rep. Al Green attends impeachment vote in hospital gown (Source: www.houstonchronicle.com)
President Trump has faced impeachment proceedings before, having been impeached twice during his first term, though the Senate acquitted him both times. Nevertheless, Congressman Green appears to believe the third attempt might succeed.
Green discussed many additional topics during his appearance on "TMZ Live." Viewers can watch the complete interview by checking their local listings.
A social media controversy erupted when a transgender man's birthing photographs sparked intense online debates. The public display received mixed reactions, ranging from support to disapproval.
Social platforms buzzed with images featuring Syven, a transgender individual, during the delivery process and post-birth moments.
His spouse, Tori, released the photographs to showcase their family's distinctive experience. The reactions varied significantly across different audiences.
Their decision to go public aimed to increase awareness and challenge conventional expectations. According to The Daily Mail, Syven temporarily discontinued hormone treatments to carry their two children after his transition. Tori captured these moments to show that pregnancy exists beyond gender boundaries.
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Their photographic documentation aimed to showcase relationship resilience and diverse pregnancy experiences.
Numerous individuals commended their bravery, acknowledging the difficulties transgender parents encounter. Well-wishers described the images as genuine displays of family values and inclusiveness.
The couple's message met resistance despite good intentions. Various online users voiced their unease, stating the content conflicted with their established pregnancy and gender perspectives. Some responses contained hurtful remarks, dismissing the father's gender choice.
While some praised Syven's pregnancy journey, Tori noted public mockery when people observed his pregnant appearance.
The Daily Mail quoted Syven describing negative responses questioning his masculinity and parental choices.
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According to Brightside, though Syven felt comfortable with pregnancy, he experienced discrimination during medical visits.
Syven described feeling out of place in prenatal settings, facing skepticism and judgment from other patients who questioned his situation's authenticity.
Despite encountering opposition, supporters defended the couple, promoting tolerance and empathy. LGBTQ+ supporters emphasized the distinction between gender identity and biological capabilities, noting similar previous cases.
This narrative highlights shifting perspectives on gender and family structures. Public reactions reveal ongoing social adjustments to modern family concepts.
The parents continue prioritizing their child's wellbeing, maintaining positivity despite criticism. Their experience generates vital discussions about modern parenting and identity acceptance.
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Society's gradual shift toward inclusivity challenges traditional viewpoints and encourages meaningful conversations about identity expression and relationships... Your thoughts?