Transgender lawmaker slams Republicans' 'bizarre' focus on culture wars

"I appear to live rent-free in the minds of some of my Republican colleagues," McBride said. The Delaware lawmaker later added that "the Republican Party is obsessed with culture war issues. It is weird and it is bizarre."

Self later said he refused to use female terms to refer to McBride because "I don't have to participate in his fantasy."

McBride was also introduced as "the gentleman from Delaware, Mr. McBride" in the House chamber in early February. That time it was Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., who made a point of using the male title to refer to McBride. While the Delaware Democrat did not respond, a subsequent speaker, Rep. Nanette Barragán, D- Calif., called Miller "Mr. Speaker" before giving her speech.

In November 2024, before McBride was even sworn-in, Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., faced backlash for trying to ban men who identify as women from women's restrooms on Capitol Hill.

"This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing," McBride said in a statement at the time.

Fox News Digital's Alex Nitzberg and Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.