Chicago – Princess Jezebel is condemning U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of an anti-transgender slur while campaigning for Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn, calling out the contradiction between Hegseth’s claim that the military is “gender-neutral” and “merit-based” and policies excluding transgender people from serving.
Hegseth made the remark during an August 17 campaign appearance at the Iowa State Fair while discussing military readiness. His comments come as the Trump administration continues restrictions on transgender military service, including barring new trans recruits and pursuing the separation of openly transgender service members.
“The transphobic outburst made by Pete Hegseth while campaigning for Iowa Congressman neither shocks or surprises me. As a trans person, you become used to the endless politicisation of trans identities. As ignorant and abhorrent as the comment was, this is exactly the kind of deliberate and incendiary bigotry that is utilised by a flailing administration that is quickly losing relevance.
“As the cost of living soars in the US, making everyday life unaffordable for the average American, the republicans will seek to distract from their role in that crisis with the age-old tactic of scapegoating a minority community of less than one percent of the population,” said Jezebel.
“While I’m not in support of the US’ past of extensive foreign conflicts, trans people should have the right to do any job they qualify for, and those trans people who have chosen to serve in the armed forces have often risked their lives for their country. Pete Hegseth has overseen the barring of openly transgender people from the military in a move that not only cannot be substantiated with empirical evidence and data but also completely contradicts his own ethos of ‘merit-based’ entry.”
A London-based professional dominatrix and founder of a community for trans and non-binary BDSM professionals across the UK and Ireland, Jezebel offers first-hand commentary on trans identity, activism and the political forces affecting trans lives in Britain and abroad.
Find and follow Princess Jezebel at TransPrincessJezebel.com
ABOUT PRINCESS JEZEBEL:
Princess Jezebel is a London-based professional dominatrix, psychological sadist and expert humiliatrix known for her high-protocol approach to domination and complex psychological play. A mischievous, playful and unapologetically demanding trans woman, she creates bespoke experiences for each submissive, combining verbal humiliation, discipline and psychological control with a deep understanding of power exchange.
Her work has appeared in Darkside, Archer, AIP Daily and Cracked Magazine. Before becoming a full-time professional dominatrix, Jezebel worked in the touring sector of the music industry, bringing its discipline, creativity and attention to detail into every aspect of her practice.
A pansexual music lover and audiophile, she is also an outspoken voice on the realities of living and working as a transgender woman in the UK. She founded a community for trans and non-binary BDSM professionals working across the UK and Ireland and offers thoughtful commentary on identity, fetishization and the evolving BDSM landscape. To learn more about Princess Jezebel, TransPrincessJezebel.com.