New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was praised after a video showed her confronting anti-trans TikToker Chaya Raichik in the United States Capitol building.
The video shows Raichik accusing AOC of lying about her in a committee hearing, to which the lawmaker responded by calling Raichik "super transphobic" and storming off.
Trans-rights activist and civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo shared the video and praised AOC for shutting down Raichik "straight to her face."
You can see it below.
\u201c.@AOC told Chaya Raichik aka libs of tiktok that she's transphobic straight to her face when she ran into her.\u201d— Alejandra Caraballo (@Alejandra Caraballo) 1680203719
Raichik, who is known for her anti-LGBTQ+ activism, had visited Ocasio-Cortez's office to deliver a complaint accusing the lawmaker of defaming her at a recent hearing.
Raichik had claimed in a tweet that Boston Children's Hospital provided gender-affirming hysterectomies for young girls, which was debunked by reports.
Patients who are under 18 are not eligible for gender-affirming hysterectomies at the hospital, and there are additional criteria that candidates must meet. Additionally, the hospital has revised its wording to make its stance on this issue more explicit.
When Raichik informed her that she'd filed an ethics complaint because the lawmaker had "lied" during the hearing, Ocasio-Cortez responded:
“I actually didn’t, because you’re actually super transphobic, and I never want to share a space with you. Thank you!"
Shortly after the video of her encounter with Raichik was posted to social media, Ocasio-Cortez shared it herself and wrote:
"You bet I did. NYC doesn't play with bigots and transphobes and neither do I. Have a great day!"
You can see her tweet below.
\u201cYou bet I did. NYC doesn\u2019t play with bigots and transphobes and neither do I.\n\nHave a great day! \ud83d\ude42\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\ud83d\udc95\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1680204549
Many have praised Ocasio-Cortez for her forthright response.
\u201c@AOC You're an icon!!!!\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1680204549
\u201c@AOC That is the proper way to deal with disinformation purveyors!! Thank you!!\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1680204549
\u201c@AOC Good job @AOC I wasn\u2019t a supporter your first term but have become a big fan. Keep it up.\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1680204549
\u201c@AOC Thank you so much for your solidarity.\n\n\u2764\ufe0f\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1680204549
\u201c@AOC Values. Determination. 6 seconds.\n\nNailed it. \ud83d\udc51\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1680204549
\u201c@AOC @Acyn \u201cI never want to share a space with you,\u201d is a phrase I need to work into at least one social conversation per week. Thank you, AOC!\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1680204549
\u201c@AOC You rule. @AOC you are in politics for all the right reasons, and that is spectacularly refreshing. Thank you for doing what you do.\u201d— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1680204549
GLAAD, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, identified Raichik's TikTok account, LibsOfTikTok, as a key factor in the significant increase of anti-drag assaults that occurred in the United States during 2022. The account has a reputation for disseminating false information and spreading messages that are discriminatory against LGBTQ+ individuals.
The account has also served as a space vital to the spread of conspiracy theories alleging teachers are "grooming" children and proceeding with an "indoctrination" campaign designed to make children more tolerant of the LGBTQ+ community.
Libs of TikTok has proven so popular, garnering a follower base of more than 1.7 million, that it is "basically acting as a wire service for the broader right-wing media ecosystem," according to Ari Drennen, LGBTQ program director for the watchdog group Media Matters.
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