Anti-LGBTQ Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) took to Twitter to mock transgender Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine after she was sworn in as four-star admiral and became the first transgender four-star officer in all eight of the uniformed services.
Levine also became the first female four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Boebert reacted to the news by tweeting a photo of Levine and writing, “Welcome to woke medicine, America.”
Related: Lauren Boebert’s cringeworthy video insisting she isn’t dumb backfires spectacularly
Welcome to woke medicine, America. pic.twitter.com/OfKWX2GM90
— Lauren Boebert (@laurenboebert) October 20, 2021
Many were quick to defend Levine, including Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) who didn’t shy away from telling Boebert how he really feels.
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Replying directly to her tweet, Beyer wrote, “Dr. Levine is an accomplished pediatrician, a graduate of Harvard and Tulane, a former fellow at one of America’s top teaching hospitals, a professor who created medical programs at Penn State to help young people, and PA’s former Physician General.”
He then declared, “You are just a hateful bigot.”
Dr. Levine is an accomplished pediatrician, a graduate of Harvard and Tulane, a former fellow at one of America's top teaching hospitals, a professor who created medical programs at Penn State to help young people, and PA's former Physician General.
You are just a hateful bigot. https://t.co/e5ihANWciZ
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) October 20, 2021
Other replies also defended Levine’s qualifications and mocked Boebert in the process.
Imagine being so hateful that, while claiming to be a freedom loving, Christian "patriot", you use your elected position to spew hatred toward someone who's achieved more than you can dare to dream. IMO, that's the epitome of disgusting. What a disgrace you are to OUR country.
— Hellina Handbasket (aka ShmoopsyPooh) (@inflictions3) October 20, 2021
Levine graduated from Harvard College and the Tulane University School of Medicine and completed a residency in pediatrics and fellowship in adolescent medicine at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan, New York.
You needed 3 tries to get your GED.— John Doe (@JohnDoe_The_7th) October 20, 2021
Why are you picking on her ? Take a look in the mirror it isn't pretty
— JoeIsYourPresident🌊🌊🌊 (@JoeBidenWon) October 20, 2021
This is far from Boebert’s first time ranting against the LGBTQ+ community.
Earlier this year, she spoke on the House floor against the pro-LGBTQ Equality Act, stating, “Where is the equity in this legislation for the young girls across America who will have to look behind their backs as they change in school locker rooms, just to make sure there isn’t a confused man trying to catch a peek?”
She also believes that gay people – and gay cartoon characters – are a threat to children.
After the House of Representatives made rules about using gender-neutral language when referring to parents, Boebert accused progressives of wanting “to get rid of parents all together.” She did not cite any evidence that Democrats are trying to take away anyone’s children, but she made sure to warn her followers: “NEVER surrender your children.”
Boebert also wasn’t only the one who denigrated Levine’s accomplishments. Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) twice tweeted out transphobic comments in response to the news.
“The title of first female four-star officer gets taken by a man,” Banks wrote.
The title of first female four-star officer gets taken by a man. https://t.co/bHKmJbE6cA
— Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) October 19, 2021
About fifteen minutes later, he added, “Calling someone that was born and lived as a man for 54 years the first ‘female’ four-star officer is an insult to every little girl who dreams of breaking glass ceilings one day.”
Calling someone that was born and lived as a man for 54 years the first "female" four-star officer is an insult to every little girl who dreams of breaking glass ceilings one day. https://t.co/bHKmJbE6cA
— Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) October 19, 2021
Many also mocked him in response.
Oooh, little Jimmy, feeling threatened?
— Maureen Dougherty (@maurnorth) October 20, 2021
No it’s not. Inclusiveness is good for everyone, except politicians who traffic in fear and hate.
— rdbash (@rdbash) October 21, 2021
You don’t speak for women and girls. Have a seat.
— Naptown Nat (@NaptownNat) October 20, 2021
Banks, who chairs the conservative Republican Study Committee, also recently voiced his support for a Mike Pence presidential run in 2024.