GOP lawmaker pranked with fake names during anti-trans bill hearing

During a hearing on Texas’s anti-trans S.B. 888 this week, a Republican lawmaker read out several sexually suggestive names that had been added to the list of public comment speakers.

On Wednesday, Texas’s House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee met to discuss S.B. 888, an anti-trans bill that would expand the statute of limitations under which doctors can be sued by former patients who have received gender-affirming care. Such legislation is meant to discourage healthcare professionals from providing gender-affirming care for fear of future litigation.

Related:

Activist protects speaker at Texas hearing delivering a powerful message about trans humanity

The bodyguard protected the trans speaker while chamber officials tried to disconnect their mic.

During the public comment period, a third-grade teacher spoke out against the bill. “We are suffering from so many different things in this state,” she said. “To be focusing on something that would very specifically harm transgender kids when they represent such a small portion of our population, as Texan it just really hurts my heart to see.”

Following the teacher’s comments, committee chair state Rep. Jeff Leach (R) called on the next speaker listed.

Never Miss a Beat

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.

Sign Up

Daily

Weekly

Good News

Promotions (occasional)

“Is there a Connie Lingus here?” he said. “What about Anita Dickinme? Or Holden Midick?”

“Are any three of those people here?” he said as the several people in the chamber burst into laughter.

“Alright, you got your… moment,” Leach said. “I hope you enjoy it.”

Texas heard SB888 yesterday, an anti-trans bill targeting doctors caring for trans youth.

After one person spoke, the chair then read off the names of 3 people to speak next…

And just…

Watch…

God I love Gen Z💀 pic.twitter.com/rTRm52waFo

— Erin Reed (@ErinInTheMorn) March 30, 2023

This isn’t the first time this tactic, straight out of the Bart Simpson playbook, has been used to troll lawmakers. Earlier this month, during a meeting of Florida’s House Civil Justice Subcommittee, state Rep. Will Robinson, Jr., (R) read off the names “Anita Dick” and “Holden Hiscock.”

The same names were read during a March 20 hearing on Florida Republicans’ anti-renter law.

Anita Dick and Holden Hiscock have been fighting hard to stop Republicans from screwing over tenants for a while now! https://t.co/gXDv8HPYzQ

— Jordan Zakarin (@jordanzakarin) March 24, 2023

After a clip from this week’s Texas hearing made its way to Twitter, many users found the prank hilarious, while others questioned its usefulness in the fight against anti-trans legislation like S.B. 888.

This made my day

— Kris Crocker (@KrisCrockerKXLY) March 31, 2023

What does that accomplish?

— Life Goes On (@Forward_2020) March 30, 2023

That is funny but I think its counter productive. If someone makes fun of the person you are talking to in front of people and no one laughs vs the people around them laughing, they feel like they are being laughed at and they probably wont care what you just said

— HorseMarketsf.com (@HorseMarketSF) March 31, 2023

This Chairman is what happens when your parents don't let you watch The Simpsons growing up 🤣

— Scott Norton (@Norton_Bowling) March 30, 2023

This gets funnier every time I watch it. That woman laughing is just wonderful!!!!

— BK (@Brianesq78) March 30, 2023

Is it immature? Yes.
Does it accomplish anything meaningful? No.
Did it make me giggle, despite the world being absolutely terrifying right now? Yeah, yeah it did.

— 30-50 feral elongated muskrats 🇺🇦☮️✡️ (@seagun) March 31, 2023