Mike Johnson Calls Extra Press Conference Just To Make Anti-Trans Statement
The House Speaker previously ducked a question about whether Sarah McBride, soon to be the first transgender member of Congress, is a man or a woman.
HuffPost: WASHINGTON ― House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) summoned reporters on Tuesday afternoon just to make sure they’re clear that he’s against transgender rights.
Earlier on in the day Johnson had ducked a question at a press conference about whether Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, a Delaware Democrat who will be the first transgender member of Congress, is a man or a woman.
Johnson apparently got enough backlash from right-wingers that his office assembled reporters so he could make another statement.
“I want to make a statement and be very clear,” Johnson said during his brief second press gaggle in the Capitol. “I was asked a question and I rejected the premise because the answer is so obvious. For anybody who doesn’t know my well-established record on this issue let me be unequivocally clear: A man is a man and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman.”
Anti-trans sentiment is running high among Republicans on Capitol Hill thanks in part to Donald Trump’s successful presidential campaign, which spent millions on TV ads accusing Vice President Kamala Harris of being for “they/them.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Tuesday even reportedly said in a closed-door meeting she would “fight” any trans woman who tried to use the women’s restroom near the House floor, in what was likely a reference to McBride.
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Johnson also said Monday that the chamber would “accommodate the needs of every single person,” presumably including McBride, though he didn’t offer any details.
At his second press appearance, Johnson repeated the line about dignity, again without saying whether the House would attempt to bar certain lawmakers from certain toilets.
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My Note: What has happened to simple respect, tolerance and decency? People are different. Not everyone is skinny. Not everyone likes the same kind of music. On any street, any mall you will see different dress, different colors, tattoos, even handicaps. Why single out anyone as evil, or less deserving, simply because they want to be accepted.
What has happened?
This isn't me describing my beliefs … it's me describing theirs, in answer to your question. If we can't see and describe the best version of their answer and truly see why they think their beliefs are good, we’ll never get anywhere.
ReplyDeleteThe best version of where they're coming from is in their honor of Truth (dear reader: don't jump to the Appeal to Hypocrisy fallacy). They see man and woman as scientifically biological and unchangeable, and they don't want to live in a country founded on untruths. They also fear accepting one untrue premise will lead to a whole culture of accepted untruths.
They're generally accepting of others living their own lies/lives, and they're tolerant of everyone's general difference/weirdness/expression. Adults can be who they want to be as long as they don't harm other people. But the line gets crossed when they're asked to participate in the untruthful delusion and co-create a society that harms other people. They're empathetic towards their mental sickness or delusion and really feel horrible that it's happening to some people, but empathy doesn't require participation in the delusion. In fact, empathy with love requires creating an environment where that sick person can live in Truth, not delusion.
It gets worse when the law starts requiring compulsory, forced speech, which negates their 1st Amendment rights to freedom of speech. They reject the belief that language can be violent. They believe no speech should be limited. Actions can be violent, not speech. When citizens start being forced to say certain things, our society starts marching toward destruction.
That's a good start towards answering your question.
"accepted untruths"? There is no justification for bias, prejudice, discrimination and hate. The best example was the 50's in the south, (yes, I was there) when black were considered inferior humans and were treated that way. Because it was accepted, did that make it true / acceptable.
DeleteCall it out for what it is - mean and hateful.
Mean and hateful it is! Thanks Rhonda. And, yes, many of us are still here with you this morning :) Bobbi
ReplyDeleteFor those who support laws that require people to use the bathroom consistent with the gender assigned at birth, consider the case of the trans man. After having a double mastectomy, the individual takes testosterone. Over time, the testosterone allows him to grow a beard and develop a well-defined musculature. And, instead of Ms. McBride, this trans man is who Mike Johnson would welcome in a ladies' bathroom or locker room. Of course, there's nothing wrong with a trans man or his use of a men's room. But there is something very wrong with the hateful religious fanatics who try to create a problem where none exists.
ReplyDeleteThe parallels to the rise of Nazism are too similar to ignore. Every time they crossed a line, people would say "don't worry it will be alright" or "they won't do that!" Paula G They are and they will
ReplyDeletewhy are gays now fully accepted and we are being creamed?
ReplyDeleteI tried this on one the critics and it caused him to pause "you say you don't want your young girl exposed to a transwoman in the ladies room-1-what harm is the transwoman doing to her ?and 2 if you fear sexual assault what about lesbians using the same room?"