Sarah McBride, born on August 9, 1990, in Wilmington, Delaware, is a prominent LGBTQ+ activist and politician. She gained national attention in 2016 as the first openly transgender person to speak at a major U.S. political convention, addressing the Democratic National Convention.
In 2020, McBride was elected to the Delaware State Senate, becoming the first openly transgender state senator in the U.S. She continued her political ascent by winning the Democratic nomination for Delaware’s at-large congressional district in September 2024, securing 80% of the vote. She won the general election in November 2024 with 58% of the vote, officially becoming the first openly transgender member of the U.S. Congress on January 3, 2025.
On March 11, 2025, during a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing, Republican Congressman Keith Self misgendered McBride by referring to her as “Mr. McBride.” McBride responded by thanking “Madame Chair.” This led to a tense exchange when Democratic Representative Bill Keating demanded that Self address McBride correctly. Self refused and adjourned the meeting, later justifying his actions by stating adherence to policies recognizing only two biological sexes.
Despite facing such challenges, McBride remains focused on her legislative duties, emphasizing her commitment to representing Delaware and advocating for the rights and recognition of transgender individuals.