Sarah Elizabeth McBride was born on August 9, 1990, in Wilmington, Delaware, to David and Sally McBride. Her father worked as a lawyer, while her mother was a high school guidance counselor and co-founder of the Cab Calloway School of the Arts, where Sarah later graduated in 2009. Sarah pursued her higher education at American University in Washington, D.C., earning a bachelor's degree in 2013. While at AU, she quickly became involved in student government and advocacy. Elected to the undergraduate senate in 2010, she worked on issues ranging from arts funding to ethical sourcing of campus materials. In 2011, she was elected president of the student body. During her presidency, Sarah began publicly advocating for LGBTQ+ equality. In a powerful and widely publicized letter published in The Eagle during her final week in office in 2012, she came out as a transgender woman.
Her courageous announcement garnered national attention and support, including from Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, who called to express his pride and affection, and from Vice President Joe Biden. In 2012, McBride became the first openly transgender woman to intern at the White House, working in the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs on LGBTQ+ issues. The following year, she joined the board of Equality Delaware and became a leading voice in the fight for transgender rights in the state. Working closely with her family, Governor Jack Markell, and Beau Biden, she helped secure the passage of Delaware’s landmark 2013 anti-discrimination law protecting gender identity in employment, housing, insurance, and public accommodations. Governor Markell credited Sarah’s tireless advocacy and personal testimony as instrumental to the bill’s passage.
Monika: Sarah, welcome! It lifts my spirits to see young transgender women taking such a strong interest in political careers. It’s truly a pleasure to have you here.
Sarah: Hi Monika! It is great to talk to you!
Monika: What inspired you, at such a young age, to pursue a career in politics?
Sarah: I’ve been interested in politics since a young age. As an observer, I think politics, government, and history are fascinating. It describes and shows us who we are, at our core, as a people and tells us the story of where we’ve been and where we are going.
Sarah: I’ve been interested in politics since a young age. As an observer, I think politics, government, and history are fascinating. It describes and shows us who we are, at our core, as a people and tells us the story of where we’ve been and where we are going.
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"Sarah McBride Talks About Delaware Law & Gender Identity" (YouTube) |
I’m an active participant in politics because I genuinely believe that there is no more effective way to change and improve your world than through civic engagement. As they say, “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Monika: You've already made a significant impact by playing a key role in the passage of the Delaware transgender rights bill...
Sarah: Thank you, but I was just one part of a state-wide, grassroots effort to pass the bill. Our success was due to so many transgender Delawareans coming out and telling their stories, the allies who worked for years to pass this bill alongside transgender people, and the compassionate elected officials who chose to be on the right side of history.
The help of national partners like the Human Rights Campaign, the National Center for Transgender Equality, and the Gay and Lesbian Task Force also enhanced our efforts. That’s the combination that has helped similar bills pass in 16 other states and the District of Columbia.
Monika: During your campaign for the Delaware transgender rights bill, your mother was one of your strongest supporters.
Sarah: I got a lot of support and help from both my parents. They were incredible. They came down to Dover to meet with legislators and to testify for the bill in both chambers. It was really helpful to have parents talking to legislators, many of who are parents themselves, from that perspective.
I think it helped legislators relate to the issue. It helped show the reality of transgender people: that we are part of communities just like everyone else, with family, friends, hopes, dreams, and needs. It is harder for legislators to ignore you when you demonstrate the personal side of an issue.
Monika: In American politics, various interest groups work to advance their causes. How effective has the transgender community been in advocating for its rights?
Sarah: I think this is a really exciting time to be active in transgender equality. The last decade has seen the solidification of an effective mainstream movement for transgender equality. In that time, you’ve seen organizations like the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force doing amazing work for transgender people from Washington and state transgender and LGBT equality organizations matching those efforts in the individual cities and states.
Sarah: I got a lot of support and help from both my parents. They were incredible. They came down to Dover to meet with legislators and to testify for the bill in both chambers. It was really helpful to have parents talking to legislators, many of who are parents themselves, from that perspective.
I think it helped legislators relate to the issue. It helped show the reality of transgender people: that we are part of communities just like everyone else, with family, friends, hopes, dreams, and needs. It is harder for legislators to ignore you when you demonstrate the personal side of an issue.
Monika: In American politics, various interest groups work to advance their causes. How effective has the transgender community been in advocating for its rights?
Sarah: I think this is a really exciting time to be active in transgender equality. The last decade has seen the solidification of an effective mainstream movement for transgender equality. In that time, you’ve seen organizations like the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force doing amazing work for transgender people from Washington and state transgender and LGBT equality organizations matching those efforts in the individual cities and states.
Monika: But aren’t we still behind the gay community when it comes to effectively articulating our interests?
Sarah: There is no doubt that the transgender community isn’t in the same place as the push for gay rights, but we aren’t too far behind. It is my hope and belief that within the next decade we will be where the gay rights movement is now. It’s heartening to see organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, which was indispensable to our bill in Delaware, taking on a more active role in transgender equality.
Sarah: There is no doubt that the transgender community isn’t in the same place as the push for gay rights, but we aren’t too far behind. It is my hope and belief that within the next decade we will be where the gay rights movement is now. It’s heartening to see organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, which was indispensable to our bill in Delaware, taking on a more active role in transgender equality.
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| Speaking at the Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Act bill signing with Governor Markell on the left. |
Monika: You closely followed the last U.S. presidential campaign. How did the Republicans and Democrats differ in addressing the needs and rights of the transgender community? Is there any difference?
Sarah: A huge difference. Barack Obama went around the country speaking against discrimination based on “who you are or who you love.” That statement was a direct reference to the entire LGBT community and is helping to change attitudes.
Mitt Romney, on the other hand, was openly hostile to LGBT Americans. The national Republican Party has a long way to go before it should even be a remote possibility for LGBT people to support.
Monika: How would you describe President Obama's administration's approach to transgender Americans?
Sarah: Barack Obama has done more for LGBT Americans than any U.S. President. The public is well-aware of his efforts for gay and lesbian Americans on issues like Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and marriage equality, but he has achieved some important policy goals for the transgender community.
Under his administration, the State Department and Social Security Administration have updated requirements for documentation changes for transgender people, they have protected the rights and safety of transgender defendants and inmates, issued an executive order adding gender identity to the federal government’s non-discrimination policies, and passed the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) which expanded access and protections for transgender patients.
Sarah: A huge difference. Barack Obama went around the country speaking against discrimination based on “who you are or who you love.” That statement was a direct reference to the entire LGBT community and is helping to change attitudes.
Mitt Romney, on the other hand, was openly hostile to LGBT Americans. The national Republican Party has a long way to go before it should even be a remote possibility for LGBT people to support.
Monika: How would you describe President Obama's administration's approach to transgender Americans?
Sarah: Barack Obama has done more for LGBT Americans than any U.S. President. The public is well-aware of his efforts for gay and lesbian Americans on issues like Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and marriage equality, but he has achieved some important policy goals for the transgender community.
Under his administration, the State Department and Social Security Administration have updated requirements for documentation changes for transgender people, they have protected the rights and safety of transgender defendants and inmates, issued an executive order adding gender identity to the federal government’s non-discrimination policies, and passed the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) which expanded access and protections for transgender patients.
Monika: Are these efforts getting the visibility they deserve? I have to admit, some of them were new to me.
Sarah: These accomplishments, coupled with a host of other advocacy achievements, do not receive as much attention in the media as DADT and marriage but make a real difference in the lives of transgender Americans.
There is certainly more to be done. I’m not the only one who would like to see the President issue an executive order prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity with any company that the federal government has a contract with.
Sarah: These accomplishments, coupled with a host of other advocacy achievements, do not receive as much attention in the media as DADT and marriage but make a real difference in the lives of transgender Americans.
There is certainly more to be done. I’m not the only one who would like to see the President issue an executive order prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity with any company that the federal government has a contract with.
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| Briefing Governor Markell as the bill made its way through the General Assembly. |
Monika: What are the key issues currently at the forefront of transgender advocacy?
Sarah: Where do I start? I think the biggest issue that needs to be addressed is non-discrimination protections. There are currently no national laws that protect transgender people from workplace discrimination.
In 33 states, it is perfectly legal to fire, deny someone housing, or throw a person out of a restaurant simply for being transgender.
We need basic protections from discrimination in all 50 states and from the federal government. Access to quality and affordable health care, including transition-related care, is another big issue that needs to be addressed.
Sarah: Where do I start? I think the biggest issue that needs to be addressed is non-discrimination protections. There are currently no national laws that protect transgender people from workplace discrimination.
In 33 states, it is perfectly legal to fire, deny someone housing, or throw a person out of a restaurant simply for being transgender.
We need basic protections from discrimination in all 50 states and from the federal government. Access to quality and affordable health care, including transition-related care, is another big issue that needs to be addressed.
Monika: Do you think our agenda should focus solely on transgender issues, or should it be broader and more inclusive of other social concerns?
Sarah: The transgender advocacy agenda should not stop with issues that specifically include “transgender” or “gender identity” in the description. We need to include the rights and well-being of women, people of color, persons with disabilities, people in poverty, and every single marginalized group. If we don’t tackle the rights of everyone in our time, then we will only solve the problems of the most privileged in our community.
Sarah: The transgender advocacy agenda should not stop with issues that specifically include “transgender” or “gender identity” in the description. We need to include the rights and well-being of women, people of color, persons with disabilities, people in poverty, and every single marginalized group. If we don’t tackle the rights of everyone in our time, then we will only solve the problems of the most privileged in our community.
Monika: As a member of Equality Delaware and the Board of Directors for an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, you’ve seen firsthand how the transgender cause is often intertwined with broader LGBTQ+ activism. Being the 'T' at the end of the acronym, do you feel the transgender community is able to effectively champion its own issues within the larger movement?
Sarah: I’m lucky to live in Delaware, where we have some incredibly enlightened and inclusive LGBT organizations. Equality Delaware, under the leadership of Mark Purpura and Lisa Goodman, is a model advocacy group for the entire LGBT community. Over the last six months, they have successfully passed both marriage equality and gender identity protection.
It’s a truly historic period of success. Mainstream LGBT organizations can always do a better job of diversifying and addressing the issues of LGBT people of color, transgender people, bisexual people, and lower-income people, but Equality Delaware is conscious of that and constantly seeks to do and be better.
Sarah: I’m lucky to live in Delaware, where we have some incredibly enlightened and inclusive LGBT organizations. Equality Delaware, under the leadership of Mark Purpura and Lisa Goodman, is a model advocacy group for the entire LGBT community. Over the last six months, they have successfully passed both marriage equality and gender identity protection.
It’s a truly historic period of success. Mainstream LGBT organizations can always do a better job of diversifying and addressing the issues of LGBT people of color, transgender people, bisexual people, and lower-income people, but Equality Delaware is conscious of that and constantly seeks to do and be better.
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| Speaking at the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund annual fundraiser. The Victory Funds seeks to elect openly LGBT people to public office in America. |
Monika: How do you view the current state of transgender women in American society? Have there been significant strides forward, or do you feel there are still major obstacles to overcome?
Sarah: That is a good question. I think America is at a turning point in how we view and treat transgender women. We still face a good deal of caricatures, stereotypes, and mockery from the media to day-to-day life, but we do see more positive examples in the media, less tokenism, and, at long last, real and complex portrayals of transgender women in art and pop culture.
Sarah: That is a good question. I think America is at a turning point in how we view and treat transgender women. We still face a good deal of caricatures, stereotypes, and mockery from the media to day-to-day life, but we do see more positive examples in the media, less tokenism, and, at long last, real and complex portrayals of transgender women in art and pop culture.
Monika: What kind of pushback did you face while fighting for transgender rights in Delaware?
Sarah: During our push for transgender rights in Delaware, we were certainly confronted with a lot of negative and unfounded beliefs that transgender women face. The opponents had no problem with transgender men in the men’s restrooms but treated transgender women in women’s restrooms as potential predators, abusers, and liars. Luckily in Delaware, enough legislators saw through those offensive arguments.
Sarah: During our push for transgender rights in Delaware, we were certainly confronted with a lot of negative and unfounded beliefs that transgender women face. The opponents had no problem with transgender men in the men’s restrooms but treated transgender women in women’s restrooms as potential predators, abusers, and liars. Luckily in Delaware, enough legislators saw through those offensive arguments.
Monika: Do you believe transgender women have the potential to make a significant impact in politics?
Sarah: I think transgender women already have. Nationally, Mara Keisling, a transgender woman, has demonstrated that. Transgender women have been elected to state office in Hawaii and positions in California, Oregon, and other states.
President Obama has appointed openly transgender women to positions in the State Department and the Defense Department. The future of transgender women, and transgender people in general, from politics to business to art, is bright.
Monika: Do you believe we might see a transgender woman elected President of the United States within our lifetime?
Sarah: I think we certainly have a way to go before that’s possible, but I think the last six years have demonstrated that anything is possible. Not many people would have thought that forty years after Washington DC, and other cities, burned following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., that we would have an African American President now residing just ten blocks from those same burning streets. America has evolved before and I think we are evolving now.
END OF PART 1
All photos: courtesy of Sarah McBride unless specified otherwise.
© 2013 - Monika Kowalska
