During the second day of Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, she was asked by Senator Diane Feinstein whether she believed LGBTQ couples have the right to marry.
In her answer, while referring to LGBTQ individuals, Barrett used an outdate term that set many viewers on edge. She said:
"I do want to be clear that I have never discriminated on the basis of sexual preference and would not ever discriminate on the basis of sexual preference. You know, like racism, I think discrimination is abhorrent."
While she may have been speaking about avoiding discrimination, using the phrase "sexual preference" has long been rejected by the LGBTQ community because it implies their sexuality is a choice.
On Twitter, many of Barrett's critics pointed out the harmfulness of her word choice.
Barrett's language was even called out by Senator Mazie Hirono later in the hearing.
Later, Barrett apologized for her use of the phrase, saying it wasn't her intention to be disrespectful.
For many online, however, the damage had already been done.
Many felt Barrett's use of the phrase was an indication of the kind of people she associates with.
And, of course, Twitter had a few jokes to make about the incident.
Although the 2020 election is actively in progress, Judge Amy Coney Barrett's confirmation hearings will continue as America suffers through the global pandemic.
Most political pundits believe Barrett will be confirmed mere days before the election concludes, leaving the Senate with no time to pass any economic stimulus.
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