Some in Delaware County are calling for the resignation of a county council member who they say is insulting transgender Hoosiers.  As IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports, the elected official has announced he now identifies as a “woman of color.”

Earlier this month on Facebook, Delaware County councilman Republican Ryan Webb announced his “true self” identified as a woman of color and a lesbian.  He also said he’d retain his first name and his male pronouns.

Webb said this brought diversity to the county council.  In his statement, he wrote, “I’m just glad that this is now possible so ANYONE can be ANYTHING or ANYONE they want.”

One day earlier, Webb posted that being transgender was a mental health disorder and such people “need treatment, not affirmation.”

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Eight individuals and a student group from Burris Laboratory School called for Webb’s resignation during public comments at Tuesday morning’s county council meeting.

One was Chelsea McDonnel.

“With his facetious claim that he identifies as a woman of color,” she said, “he has made a mockery of his constituents, as well as his elected position and this council.”

In response, Webb says he has never claimed to be transgender and this is how he sees his own sense of gender.

“You don’t get to question me,” he said directly to the audience.  “You do not get to require proof from me.  You were part of the movement to help establish these rules and set the bar.  Okay?  You don’t get to come later when someone else joins your club that you don’t want in.”

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The council adjourned after Webb’s statement and did not formally address the calls to take action on Webb’s position.

Webb’s county council seat is up for election in 2024.

Screenshot of Webb’s public post on April 12, 2023.