House Democrat: Hegseth testosterone screenings indicative of ‘homoeroticism’

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Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) on Thursday said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s testosterone screening requirement for U.S. service members is indicative of “homoeroticism.”

Hegseth announced this week that the Pentagon will give the screenings to service members 30 years and older, regardless of gender. Should treatment be recommended following the test, they will have the choice to receive testosterone replacement therapy.

“I think it’s indicative of the fact that there are so many people in this administration that have some weird, like, intense homoerotic feelings towards men while also being incredibly homophobic,” Balint told reporter Scott MacFarlane with MeidasTouch. “And not just homophobic, but like hate-mongering, fear-mongering about the LGBTQ community.”

Balint, who is openly gay, said that she does not find the homoeroticism to be “the weird part.”

“The weird part is that they pretend that that’s not what it’s about,” the lawmaker continued. “And so, Pete Hegseth is like the example of this manly, manly, rugged, macho man.”

The New England Democrat added that the Defense chief is the “embodiment” of the style of hypermasculine, homoerotic art drawn by Finnish artist Touko Valio Laaksonen, better known as Tom of Finland.

“So I feel like they must be looking at that [Tom of Finland’s art] as like their example for what men look like,” Balint said.

The Defense Department posted a video online of Hegseth making the announcement, saying that the “most decisive tactical advantage will always be the individual warfighter.” The secretary noted that he authorized the new screening program to ensure troops can operate at their best.

“We have a sacred duty to maintain that advantage, which is why we must constantly look for new ways to optimize your performance, your resilience and your long-term health,” he said.

He also assured that the screenings are not “about artificial enhancement,” emphasizing the program will keep troops on the “leading edge of lethality.”

The Trump administration has long focused on traditional masculinity. Hegseth has also imposed strict fitness and grooming standards in the U.S. military. In September, he said he did not want to see overweight troops or “fat generals and admirals” during a speech before several hundred high-ranking officials in Quantico, Va.

Hegseth, a former National Guard member, has also emphasized physical fitness on social media and has been seen working out with service members, including during a recent trip to the U.S. base at Guantánamo Bay.

President Trump himself has long used stamina and physical ability as a measure of a political opponent’s strength. He would frequently question former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris over their cognitive and physical health while on the campaign trail in 2016, 2020 and 2024, respectively.

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Defense Department

Donald Trump

Hillary Clinton

homoeroticism

House Democrats

Joe Biden

Kamala Harris

LGBTQ community

pentagon

Pete Hegseth

Rebecca Balint

testosterone screenings

Trump administration

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