‘Bring back mental institutions’: Tuberville calls transgender people ‘deranged'

PoliticsU.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville gave a speech on LGBTQ issues Thursday, Sept. 22, 2026 in Congress.Ruth Serven SmithBy Ruth Serven Smith | rserven@al.comU.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican nominee for governor of Alabama, criticized transgender people, their parents and their doctors on the Senate floor Thursday.Tuberville claimed transgender people are mentally ill and a danger to others. He said that airline pilots who are transgender or wear fursuits are “deranged” and suggested more LGBTQ people should be institutionalized.“It is the best interest of our country to bring back mental institutions as a normal part of our society, instead of sweeping it under the rug,” Tuberville said, standing next to a sign that said “Transgenderism is a Mental Illness.”“I want to be clear about this gender confusion,” he said. “It is not normal. It is a cry for help, and our society needs to stop affirming people who are suffering from this mental illness.”Major medical and mental health organizations like the American Psychiatric Association say identifying as transgender is not a mental illness. People who identify as a different gender may experience other conditions.The Alabama Trans Rights Action Coalition, which advocates for transgender people, criticized Tuberville’s speech Thursday and said he should have spent his time talking about groceries, gas prices or rural healthcare.“Tuberville’s comments reveal his desperation to keep the narrative focused on culture war issues, instead of trying to solve the real problems Alabamians are facing,” Tris Wilson said.“Tuberville may not like the word ”transgender," but science and medicine afform the existence of a spectrum of gender that includes cisgender and transgender people alike," Wilson said. “We just want to be free to participate in society like everyone else.”Tuberville said doctors who help children transition are committing “medical malpractice.” He said parents are committing “child abuse.”In 2022, Alabama passed a law that made the administration of puberty blockers, hormone therapy and surgeries to certain people a felony. The state has also considered efforts to restrict discussion of LGBTQ issues in public schools.LGBTQ organizations have criticized Tuberville’s previous comments, including one where he said “trans children” should be more scared of their parents than the government.Tuberville’s speech came as Congress considers the Protect College Sports Act, which he initially opposed, calling it a “government takeover.”He and Sen. Katie Britt introduced an an amendment Tuesday that clarifies revenue-sharing agreements for athletes with Name, Image and Likeness deals.Since he was elected to Congress in 2020, Tuberville has frequently commented on LGBTQ issues. He has proposed legislation that blocks transgender people from playing sports on women’s teams.In a recent committee hearing, Tuberville highlighted Chloe Cole, an activist who detransitioned and now advocates against gender transition care for children.The American Medical Association recently adjusted its guidance for gender-affirming care for children, and said people should not get surgeries like mastectomies before adulthood.Ruth Serven Smith is a senior managing producer at AL.com who reports on politics, policy, elections and education issues. She founded The Alabama Education Lab team in 2021. She grew up in Oklahoma and most...