Fox News personality Tucker Carlson doesn't seem to know what bisexuality is or how it works.
That's what prompted Oregon Governor Kate Brown, a Democrat, to respond after Carlson spent a portion of his program criticizing her sexuality alongside her recent announcement of an outdoor mask mandate in her state.
Brown is the country's first openly bisexual statewide office holder and first openly bisexual governor.
Speaking on his show last week, Carlson said:
"Why is this relevant? Well, the media didn't explain, they told us without exactly explaining what it meant, that this fact was historic and it was highly thrilling."
"Kate Brown's sex life was shattering ceilings. Woo-hoo."
He then went on to suggest that it is "weird" and "confusing" that Brown is married to a man:
"And yet if you looked a little closer, you noticed something a little weird. Actually Kate Brown was married to a man."
"Yes, he had a different last name, but he was still, as they say on TikTok, binary. He was a dude. That's fine, of course, but it was also a little confusing."
"How does having a groom at her wedding make Kate Brown an official member of the LGBTQ community? No one bothered to ask."
Does Carlson even know how bisexuality works?
Tucker Carlson Says It\u2019s \u2018Confusing\u2019 That Bisexual Oregon Governor Kate Brown Is Married to a Manhttps://www.mediaite.com/tv/tucker-carlson-says-its-confusing-that-bisexual-oregon-governor-kate-brown-is-married-to-a-man/\u00a0\u2026— Mediaite (@Mediaite) 1629943313
Bisexuality is defined as being sexually attracted not exclusively to people of one particular gender, such that one is equally attracted to both men and women.
Brown soon responded, taking Carlson to task for his rant.
Writing on Twitter, she noted that being attracted to both men and women is "what bisexual means."
She then offered words of advice for other bisexuals who might be experiencing similar erasure and bigotry:
"To every bisexual person out there struggling to explain to your friends and family who you are and who you love: you are not alone."
"Don't let the bullies stop you from being true to yourself. You might even be a governor someday."
.@TuckerCarlson, that's what bisexual means. \n\nTo every bisexual person out there struggling to explain to your friends and family who you are and who you love: you are not alone. Don't let the bullies stop you from being true to yourself. You might even be a governor someday.https://twitter.com/Mediaite/status/1430712070199185408\u00a0\u2026— Governor Kate Brown (@Governor Kate Brown) 1629999499
Social media users praised Brown for her response and offered sharp criticisms of Carlson.
@oregongovbrown Right in the money! @tuckercarlson needs to just fall off the planethttps://twitter.com/OregonGovBrown/status/1430947730076012547\u00a0\u2026— Aurora DeVilbiss (@Aurora DeVilbiss) 1630164722
Tucker Carlson is the one who is "confusing." He's also confused. The poor dear doesn't understand what it means to identify as bisexual. \n\nKate Brown, on the other hand, is quite clear, not confusing or confused at all.\n\nWishing you lots of #bipride, @OregonGovBrown!https://twitter.com/OregonGovBrown/status/1430947730076012547\u00a0\u2026— Robyn Ochs (@Robyn Ochs) 1630207058
It's amazing when @TuckerCarlson openly admits on live TV that he doesn't even know the meaning of words he uses to express division and hatred toward anyone but straight white christian men. Does he think bisexual people only have 3 way relationships? Can he be that stupid?https://twitter.com/OregonGovBrown/status/1430947730076012547\u00a0\u2026— AverageConsumer (@AverageConsumer) 1630091145
Fellow bisexual professional in Oregon here!! Proud to be represented by the governor https://twitter.com/oregongovbrown/status/1430947730076012547\u00a0\u2026— Rachel//BLM/ACAB/\ud83c\udf43 (@Rachel//BLM/ACAB/\ud83c\udf43) 1630098122
I disagree with Governor Kate Brown on her policies, however I support her efforts to open people\u2019s minds and support our LGBTQ community. Love is Love and should always be welcomed to grow in the light of day.https://twitter.com/OregonGovBrown/status/1430947730076012547\u00a0\u2026— Cheri Helt (@Cheri Helt) 1630122992
WE. EXIST. \n\nAnd thank you to Gov Brown for speaking up.https://twitter.com/OregonGovBrown/status/1430947730076012547\u00a0\u2026— Anastasia Beaverhausen (@Anastasia Beaverhausen) 1630207212
Gov Brown is a class act. If @TuckerCarlson is too ignorant to know what bisexual means that\u2019s on him. #bipride #StillBisexual\n\n@OregonGovBrownhttps://twitter.com/oregongovbrown/status/1430947730076012547\u00a0\u2026— Ellyn Ruthstrom (@Ellyn Ruthstrom) 1630244305
.@OregonGovBrown - I don't always agree with you, and I don't always like you (still voted for you), but this? I love you for this.https://twitter.com/OregonGovBrown/status/1430947730076012547\u00a0\u2026— Coastiestacie (@Coastiestacie) 1630027416
You have more patience than most... good trait for a gov! Thanks for speaking out.https://twitter.com/OregonGovBrown/status/1430947730076012547\u00a0\u2026— Jan Whitman (@Jan Whitman) 1630099178
Carlson has been known to share anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in the past.
The GLAAD Accountability Project notes that Carlson was a member of the "Jesse Helms Foundation" while in college, throwing support behind a conservative senator noted for his highly vocal opposition to homosexuality.
Carlson was also a member of the "Dan White Society," an organization that supported the San Francisco politician who assassinated gay civil rights pioneer Harvey Milk in 1978.
