A white Republican councilman in Indiana has sparked outrage after jokingly declaring himself a lesbian woman of color in a Facebook post made earlier this month.
Delaware County Councilman Ryan Webb wrote that he considers himself an Indian American woman, saying he finally feels comfortable sharing his ‘true authentic self’ – but many have not played into the farce.
‘It is with great relief that I announce to everyone that I identify as a woman and not just any woman but as a woman of color as well. I guess this would make me gay/lesbian as well, since I am attracted to women,’ he wrote in a post.
The announcement sparked outrage from people calling Webb ‘pathetic’ and for his perceived mockery of LGBT groups as well as marginalized groups.
‘His words not only embarrass himself, but you, the county council,’ said Charlize Jamieson, a transgender resident, according to the Star Press.
Other members of his council have now called him out for inciting hate against transgender people – and demanded his resignation.
Delaware County Councilman Ryan Webb has sparked outrage after declaring himself a lesbian woman of color in a Facebook post made earlier this month
Webb shared this picture and wrote that he considers himself an Indian woman, saying he finally feels comfortable sharing his ‘true authentic self’
‘It is with great relief that I announce to everyone that I identify as a woman and not just any woman but as a woman of color as well. I guess this would make me gay/lesbian as well, since I am attracted to women,’ he wrote in a post
Webb, a staunch Republican, first shared his ‘true self’ with the world on April 12.
‘Whew, that felt good to finally get that out there and start living life as my true self. I’m excited to bring some diversity to the county council,’ he wrote.
‘Until today we didn’t have any females of color or LGBTQIAPC+++ on the council. I’m glad that now we do!’ he continued.
Webb wrote that he will still go by ‘Ryan’ or ‘Councilman Webb’ and keep his pronouns to be ‘he/him.’
That, however ‘will in no way diminish my true identity as a woman of color,’ he said.
‘I’m excited to be a vocal partner of the LGBTQIAPC+++ movement. Who knows just how far we can take things, but I’m just glad that this is now possible so ANYONE can be ANYTHING or ANYONE they want,’ his inflammatory post continued.
At the bottom of his initial statement, he also included several emojis including the American flag, the LGBT flag, a winking face, and a flexed arm muscle.
In a later edit, he doubled down on his statements by declaring himself the first lesbian woman of color in the county council’s history.
‘It has come to my attention that I am more than likely the very first lesbian woman of color in the history of Delaware County to ever serve on the Delaware county council. I am honored to be the one to shatter that glass ceiling. #GirlPower,’ he wrote.
The post immediately ignited a social media frenzy, receiving hundreds of comments from angry and displeased residents and Facebook users.
‘Seriously? This is simply you showing your awful character. You are punching down, picking on and mocking an already underserved minority population,’ one wrote.
Webb (right) first shared his ‘true self’ with the world on April 12
Webb has since doubled down and said he’s simply ‘holding up the mirror’
Commenters weren’t the only ones to tear the Republican councilman apart.
‘If he were serious, I’d sing his praises,’ said transgender resident Jamieson during a recent city council meeting.
‘But instead, I know better. We all do. I know better because of his history of making hateful anti-trans statements on social media and disrespecting one’s pronouns,’ she said.
Students Demand Action of Burris Laboratory School also spoke at the meeting.
Six students approached the podium and demanded Webb’s resignation, with one student saying people like Webb make the process of figuring who one is more difficult.
One person who weighed in was Dana Black, host of the ‘Turn Left’ podcast.
‘I’m hoping that this individual is not making a mockery of what it means to be more in a marginalized community, but I have a feeling that that’s exactly what is happening,’ Black told WISH-TV.
‘I think he’s a nonfactor. There are real issues that people need to be focusing on, policies that are going to impact lives. Unless he’s writing a policy that is going to harm communities, that shouldn’t be our focus,’ Black continued.
Not all who found the post were outraged, however, as many showed their support for the councilman.
‘I love you, Congressman Webb…..about time to bring out the idiocy going on,’ wrote one woman in a comment to his post.
‘The ironic thing is that I’ve always thought this about you. Stunning and brave!’ another responded.
‘You go girl!’ responded one more commenter.
Commenters below Webb’s post ripped the councilman to shreds
Webb has been called ‘bigoted,’ ‘pathetic,’ and ’embarrassing’
Not all who found the post were outrage as many showed their support for the councilman
‘You go girl,’ wrote one supporter underneath Webb’s post
In a statement to WISH-TV, Webb doubled down on his claims and expressed outrage over those questioning his identity and motives.
‘I have recently decided to live my life however I choose to identify which happens to be as a woman of color. My American Indian heritage is not up for debate, although many would like it to be,’ he wrote.
‘It’s possible I may change my mind down the road. The process of identity exploration is complex and often times at the end of our personal journey we end right back where we started. I hope that in the future those asking for tolerance and understanding are willing to give it in return and not just to those who they feel is worthy of it, Webb continued.
‘Nobody has the authority to validate or invalidate any individual who chooses to identify a certain way,’ his statement concluded.
