During a recent hearing of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene made a series of controversial and anti-LGBTQ+ statements. Greene claimed that stepparents are not real parents and linked pandemic-related school closures to an increase in gender dysphoria.
Greene’s statements were directed at Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, who is a mother by marriage to two daughters. Greene argued that Weingarten was unqualified to give advice on school closures, as she is not a biological mother and has not taught full-time in over two decades. Greene claimed that Weingarten’s recommendations had nothing to do with stopping the spread of COVID-19 and were solely for the benefit of teachers’ unions.
Weingarten did not have the opportunity to respond directly to Greene’s comments, but other members of the subcommittee defended her. U.S. Representative Robert Garcia, a California Democrat and a gay man, called Greene’s comments unacceptable and affirmed Weingarten as a great parent. U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, another Democrat on the subcommittee, condemned Greene’s “cruel personal attacks” on Weingarten and adoptive parents in general.
This is not the first time Greene has made controversial statements linking gender dysphoria to pandemic-related school closures. At a hearing in March, she claimed that young people spending excessive time on social media led to an increase in trans-identifying children, which she called “completely devastating.”
Greene’s statements are part of a pattern of outrageous and anti-LGBTQ+ statements. She has also questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election and has been suspended from Twitter for spreading false information.
Despite the controversy surrounding Greene’s statements, they highlight the ongoing challenges facing LGBTQ+ youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. With schools closed and social distancing measures in place, many LGBTQ+ youth are facing increased isolation and mental health challenges. Advocates are calling for greater support and resources for LGBTQ+ youth during this difficult time.