Hillary Clinton's 'Women's Rights' Panel Featured a Man at Munich Security Conference

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At the Munich Security Conference, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton moderated a panel titled 'Fundamental Rights for Women,' where she gave the microphone to Representative Sarah Tim McBride, a biological male, to speak as a voice for women's rights. This move has sparked criticism from those who argue that a man cannot authentically represent the interests of women.

Why it matters

The decision to feature a man on a panel about women's rights at a major global security conference has raised concerns that the voices and experiences of women are being sidelined or erased in favor of gender ideology. Critics argue that biological sex matters when it comes to issues of women's rights and protections.

The details

During the panel, McBride claimed that there is a 'right wing regressive movement' that has 'placed trans people at the center of political hostility.' However, others have argued that the trans movement itself has thrust these issues into the spotlight, leading to backlash over policies that some view as undermining women's spaces and fairness in women's sports. The controversy highlights the ongoing debate over the role of biological sex versus gender identity in discussions of women's rights.

• The Munich Security Conference took place on February 15, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The controversy over the inclusion of a biological male on a women's rights panel at the Munich Security Conference is likely to continue, with further debate over the role of gender identity versus biological sex in discussions of women's rights and protections.