During a ceremony held at the White House on Wednesday, in honor of International Women’s Day, the Biden administration presented an International Women of Courage award to Alba Rueda, a transgender woman. Rueda was one of 11 recipients of the award, which was presented by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and first lady Jill Biden.
Alba Rueda is an Argentine politician who made history as the first openly transgender politician to hold a senior governmental position in the country. From January 2020 to May 2022, Rueda served as the Undersecretary of Diversity Policies within the Ministry of Women, Genders, and Diversity.
Some may argue that the award is meant to recognize the courage and accomplishments of women, and that awarding it to a biological man could be seen as inappropriate or even disrespectful to the struggles and achievements of women. They may also argue that this decision could be seen as a way to erase or diminish the accomplishments of women by giving a man recognition for work in a field that is not his lived experience.
WATCH:
The Biden administration just gave a “Woman of courage” award to a man.
I would say I’m surprised, but… pic.twitter.com/L25mWGESwj
— Clayton Keirns (@CKeirns) March 8, 2023