Mike Honda Disputes Interns Accusations Against CHC Chair

Former Congressman Mike Honda is disputing claims by a New Mexico transgender woman that he outed her to Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Congresswoman Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM), which the woman says led to her dismissal as an intern for Luján Grisham two years ago. Riley Del Rey contends she was forced to leave the prestigious post after she confided to Honda, who has a transgender granddaughter, that she herself was transgender. She says she suspects that he, in turn, told Luján Grisham and that led to her being fired. Honda, who had a reputation as a staunch defender of LGBT rights during his 17-year tenure in Congress, confirmed that Del Rey disclosed her transgender status to him at a Capitol Hill reception. But he denied telling Luján Grisham or anyone at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (who actually hired and fired Del Rey). CHCI says they did not know Del Rey was transgender until after she had been let go. A former senior CHC staffer tells The Beat DC that Del Rey was terminated for failing to follow office guidelines, including leaving to attend events during office hours without previous approval. More here.