A Republican councilman in Indiana is facing calls for his resignation after he jokingly came out as a transgender, lesbian, woman of color.
"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," Delaware County councilman Ryan Webb said in an April 12 Facebook post. "I guess this would make me gay/lesbian as well, since I am attracted to women.
Webb added that he is "honored to be the on to shatter" the "glass ceiling" as the first lesbian woman of color on the county council.
The councilman's announcement was met with criticism from those saying his remarks mock real transgender people.
"His words not only embarrass himself, but you, the county council," said Charlize Jamieson, a constituent of Webb who is transgender.
A Facebook user called out his "awful character."
"You are punching down, picking on and mocking an already underserved minority population," the user wrote.
Webb said he has faced death threats over the joke post, the Star Press reported.
Six students spoke at a recent council meeting to call for his resignation, the Daily Mail reported.
The incident comes as transgenderism has become a major political issue across the country. In Washington State and elsewhere, Democrats have moved to hide transgender runaways from their parents, while conservative states like Missouri have cracked down on medical treatments for transgender-identifying adults and children.
The Biden administration unveiled new guidance last month requiring transgender athletes to be included in most sporting events.