Viral Clip Shows Michigan Education Official Hesitate on 'How Many Genders?' — Sparks Conservative Backlash

Michigan education official’s pause ignites online debate

A short video of Michigan Chief Deputy Superintendent Dr. Sue Carnell hesitating when asked, "How many genders are there?" at an Oct. 28 state hearing has gone viral and drawn sharp criticism from conservative commentators and elected officials.

Clip spreads widely

The exchange, reposted on X by conservative influencer Libs of TikTok and viewed more than 2 million times, shows Republican state Rep. Jay DeBoyer asking Carnell the question. Carnell smiles and pauses before replying, "Different people have different beliefs on that." The brief back-and-forth quickly circulated online and became the focus of partisan commentary.

Conservative reactions

Several conservative figures criticized Carnell and the Michigan State Board of Education for failing to give a direct answer and for emphasizing inclusivity. Former Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon said Democrats are "sexualizing every facet of the curriculum" and accused the board of imposing a "radical ideology" on K–12 classrooms. GOP state Sen. Aric Nesbitt posted on X that "3/4 Michigan kids can’t read at grade level," suggesting leadership choices help explain poor outcomes.

Roger Severino, Heritage Foundation vice president, wrote on X that he was "surprised progressives are still not prepared for the ‘what is a woman’ question when they testify at hearings." Conservative influencer Paul A. Szypula called the moment "beyond embarrassing," and political commentator Wesley Yang said Carnell appeared "caught in the grips of an institutionalized mania."

Carnell's response and context

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Carnell said the focus should be on the updated Michigan Health Education Standards and Guidelines, which provide research-based information for local districts. She said the discussion was not meant to be a "gotcha" moment but to help districts consider standards on gender identity as part of broader health instruction.

Carnell noted the guidelines expect students, by the completion of 8th grade, to be able to "define gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, and explain that they are distinct components of every individual’s identity," and to "explain how biological sex, gender identity, and gender expression are distinct concepts and how they interact with each other."

Policy outcome and local control

Last week the Michigan State Board of Education approved new sex-education guidance by a 6–2 vote. The state Department of Education emphasized these standards are advisory guidance—not mandates—and that local school boards retain authority over curricula. The department also reiterated that parents retain the right to decide whether their children participate in sex-education instruction and noted that local sex-education advisory boards must include 50% parent representation when reviewing curricula.

The exchange highlights broader national debates over how schools address gender identity, parental rights, and the content of health and sex-education curricula. Supporters of the new guidance say it provides research-based information and clarity for local districts; critics argue the changes go too far and raise concerns about parental and religious freedoms.

Note: The viral clip and subsequent responses reflect political disagreement over education standards and how public officials answer sensitive questions in hearings. Fox News Digital contributed reporting to the original story.