WATCH: ‘Daily Show’ Exposes Hypocrisy of Trans Panic By Interviewing Notorious Anti-LGBT Lawmaker

Colorado Lawmaker and Minister Gordon Klingenschmitt Says Transgender People Are ‘Making Us Into Liars’

Jessica Williams on Wednesday’s “The Daily Show” (video above) interviewed notorious anti-LGBT Colorado Republican state representative and former Navy chaplain Gordon Klingenschmitt in a segment devoted to exposing the hypocrisy behind trans panic. 

The segment, titled, “The Trans Panic Epidemic,“ begins with a Black transgender woman who was arrested while trying to check into a hotel. The clerk called police, who ultimately had to try to find a reason to arrest her. She explains that this happens all the time to transgender people, especially transgender women of color. 

Later, in Williams’ interview with Rep. Klingenschmitt, he says that transgender people “not only want to be confused about their own identity, but they want the rest of us to be confused with them.”

“Now they want the government to join them in that pretense? They’re making us into liars,” he tells Williams, adding that he believes transgender people are controlled by “demonic spirits.”

“Get used to the idea of having your women and children share bathrooms with cross-dressing men who are going to expose themselves to you,” Klingenschmitt says, despite there being not a single record of this ever happening.

Later in the segment, the lawmaker-slash-priest asks if he can change into his alter (altar?) ego – a priest.

“You have to change into your alter ego? Who are you, Lady Gaga?,” Williams mocks. She then asks, “Is it fair to say that because you’re a priest, you’re a pedophile?”

“Well, of course not,” Klingenschmitt insists.

“Why is that ‘Of course not’? Why?” Williams asks.

“Because some people are criminals and some people are not criminals,” Klingenschmitt, after a pause, responds.

“Could you take that logic and apply that to the transgender community?” Williams asks.

“They’re apples and oranges,” Klingenschmitt says, likely realizing his apparent hypocrisy.

“By ‘apples and oranges,’ do you mean apples and apples?,” Williams continues.

During the segment, Williams sits down with a great group of transgender people who show that they’re just like everyone else, but also share with her the horrific questions and comments they have to live through on a daily basis. 

It’s an important segment, but almost the entire night’s episode was devoted to trans issues. You can watch the full episode here.

 

Hat tip: Westword