During the second Grand Old Party's (GOP) debate for the upcoming 2024 US Presidential election nominee selection, Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy described transgenderism as a form of "mental health disorder".
"Transgenderism, especially in kids, is a mental health disorder...It is not compassionate to affirm a kid's confusion. That is not compassion, that is cruelty," he said.
He further vowed to "ban genital mutilation and chemical castration".
Ramaswamy's controversial remarks faced heavy backlash with critics and LGBTQ groups coming to the forefront against it. Taking to X, many people condemned his statement.
“This is disgusting rhetoric from these presidential candidates. As the proud mom of a trans daughter, I say stop it. Stop hurting our kids. Stop using them as your political pawns. I will never stop fighting for our trans community. We’ve got you,” wrote Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal on X.
vivek ramaswamy calling being trans a mental health disorder is quite literally the most saddening moment of this entire debate. republicans are hateful bullies.
— scotty (@plathiandc) September 28, 2023
I feel for the transgender children in America who have to listen to Vivek Ramaswamy and the Republican presidential candidates telling them they have a "mental disorder" and don't know the first thing about their lives. Shameful demagoguery.
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) September 28, 2023
The Republican party will select and announce its candidates for President and Vice President at its national convention in July next year. The 2024 US presidential election will take place on November 5.
