CNN anchor mocks Kamala Harris for sharing her pronouns with a joke so bad it’ll make your skin crawl
Democratic candidate Kamala Harris powered through Chris Cuomo’s awkward attempt to mock her pronouns (Mario Tama/Getty)
Presidential candidate Kamala Harris included her gender pronouns as she was introduced at the CNN Equality Town Hall – but unfortunately Chris Cuomo just couldn’t take it seriously.
In a trailblazing move, the California senator jumped in after her introduction to add: “And my pronouns are she, her, and hers.”
The live studio audience roared with enthusiastic cheers and applause, but it seems the CNN moderator Chris Cuomo was thrown for a moment.
“She, her and hers? Mine too,” he joked, which was met with a notable lack of laughter and a collective cringe from the entire LGBT+ community.
As soon as she is introduced, @KamalaHarris immediately shares her pronouns. Then @ChrisCuomo promptly ruins the important moment. #EqualityTownHall pic.twitter.com/GqjVXBwmfx
— Zack Ford (@ZackFord) October 11, 2019
The awkward gaffe was particularly inappropriate in light of the fact that the event was held for the sole purpose of discussing LGBT+ issues and the need for greater inclusivity.
Although Harris didn’t immediately confront Chris Cuomo over the remark, she didn’t appear too pleased, simply responding with a terse: “All right.”
LGBT+ advocates didn’t let it slide either. The National Centre for Lesbian Rights tweeted: “Dear Chris Cuomo, people’s pronouns are not a punchline.
“In a year where LGBTQ Americans are finally being recognised on the national presidential stage, making jokes about gender pronouns is beneath your dignity. Please do better in the future.”
GLAAD said: “Kamala Harris declared her pronouns on such a major stage and she should be applauded but instead it was so disappointing for Chris Cuomo to mock it in that moment.”
Trans activist Charlotte Clymer added: “Chris Cuomo has a great heart. I think this is just a failure to understand how much trans and non-binary people struggle to have our authentic pronouns taken seriously. That’s why it’s an issue. It’s the lack of respect for that reality.”
In the face of mounting criticism Cuomo quickly backtracked and issued an apology for his comments.
PLEASE READ: When Sen. Harris said her pronouns were she her and her’s, I said mine too. I should not have. I apologize. I am an ally of the LGBTQ community, and I am sorry because I am committed to helping us achieve equality. Thank you for watching our townhall.
— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) October 11, 2019
“PLEASE READ,” he tweeted shortly after the event. “When Sen. Harris said her pronouns were she her and her’s, I said mine too. I should not have. I apologise. I am an ally of the LGBTQ community, and I am sorry because I am committed to helping us achieve equality.”
