JD Vance, Republican vice-presidential nominee and a staunch opponent of LGBTQ rights, found himself at the center of online ridicule after an ironic slip-up at a recent rally. During his speech in Traverse City, Michigan, Vance mistakenly referred to himself as a “wife” to his own wife, a gaffe that immediately set social media ablaze. Given his well-documented anti-trans stance, the incident highlighted the hypocrisy many see in Vance’s rigid views on gender identity.
Vance, who has publicly opposed gender-affirming care for trans youth and has been vocal against the LGBTQ community, has faced numerous controversies throughout his political career. From resurfaced photos of him in drag to bizarre allegations involving a couch, Vance’s history of inflammatory remarks and actions continues to haunt him. However, his recent self-misgendering at the rally sparked a particularly sharp wave of humor and sarcasm on social media, with users quick to note the irony of the moment.
Despite the chuckles from his supporters at the rally, the online community was less forgiving. Comments ranged from congratulating Vance on his “transition” to mocking him as a “boy-wife.” While the incident may seem minor, it underscores a larger issue: Vance’s rigid opposition to trans rights, even as he inadvertently fumbles with the same gender constructs he seeks to enforce. For the LGBTQ community, the slip-up is more than just a humorous blunder—it’s a reminder of the deep-seated contradictions in the rhetoric of politicians like Vance, who fail to grasp the complexity of gender and identity.
As the U.S. election draws closer, Vance’s misstep serves as yet another example of how his policies and persona are out of touch with the evolving attitudes of Americans, particularly the LGBTQ community. With recent polls showing overwhelming support for the Democratic ticket of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz among LGBTQ voters, incidents like these only further alienate a growing segment of the electorate.
The misgendering incident may pass, but the harm done by policies that deny basic rights to trans individuals remains an urgent issue that the LGBTQ community cannot ignore.
