Full Breakdown
Vermont Senator’s Transgender-Bestiality Analogy Triggers Legislative Backlash
5/21/2026, 9:45:14 PM
Core Event: Senate Debate Over Animal-Cruelty Bill
On May 15, 2026, Republican State Sen. Steven Heffernan (R-Addison) questioned whether a person who identifies as an animal and engages in sexual activity with that animal would be covered by the proposed animal-cruelty law, House Bill 578. He framed the scenario as a “crazy” hypothetical, linking transgender identity to bestiality while the Senate considered the bill.
Background & Context: PR 4 and LGBTQ+ Protections
Vermont voters were deciding Proposal 4, a constitutional amendment to prohibit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or national origin. The amendment passed the House 128-14 and the Senate 29-0, though Heffernan was absent for the Senate vote. The animal-cruelty bill seeks to criminalize non-veterinary contact between a person’s mouth, sex organ, or anus and an animal’s corresponding parts.
Official Statements & Responses
Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky said Heffernan’s remarks were a deliberate effort to “other” trans Vermonters. Senate Democrats released a statement declaring that transgender and nonbinary Vermonters are “our neighbors, our friends, and our family members,” and demanded an apology. Kesha Ram Hinsdale warned that rhetoric from powerful officials creates fear, noting that protected speech does not automatically merit the authority of public office.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics view Heffernan’s comments as part of a broader pattern of transphobic conduct, citing his earlier absence from the PR 4 vote and his flippant “pizza” remark. LGBTQ+ advocates and Democratic legislators argue that such language undermines the dignity of trans residents and distracts from substantive policy discussion.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In these crazy times, what happens if the individual identifies as an animal having intercourse with an animal? How is the courts going to handle that?” — Steven Heffernan, State Senator
- “If I identify as that animal, will this be able to … It says a person. I’m not a person. I’m identifying as this animal I’m having intercourse with,” — Steven Heffernan, State Senator
- “Heffernan is using the same dehumanizing playbook that has been used against LGBTQ+ people for generations — the false, ugly suggestion that queer and trans identity is synonymous with deviance and harm.” — Tanya Vyhovsky, State Senator
- “A lot of people are living in fear in this country because of what somebody with the power of the pen and the power of the military is saying every day,” — Kesha Ram Hinsdale, Senate Ethics Panel Chair
What’s Next
Democratic leaders continue to demand an apology, and HB 578 continues to be considered by the Senate. The implementation of PR 4’s anti-discrimination provisions remains under observation. The Washington Blade has sought comment from Heffernan without receiving a response.
