Sarah Elizabeth McBride, a trailblazing American activist and politician, was born on August 9, 1990. She made history by becoming the first openly transgender person to be elected to the United States Congress, representing Delaware's at-large congressional district. A dedicated member of the Democratic Party, McBride previously served in the Delaware Senate from January 2021 to January 2025, representing the state's 1st senate district.
Prior to her time in the Senate, McBride was the national press secretary of the Human Rights Campaign from 2016 to 2021, where she played a pivotal role in advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Her tireless efforts have earned her recognition as the nation's highest-ranking openly transgender elected official and the first openly transgender member of the United States Congress.
In 2020, McBride made history once again by becoming the first openly transgender person elected as a state senator in the United States. Her remarkable achievement was preceded by her successful lobbying efforts, which led to the passage of legislation in Delaware banning discrimination on the basis of gender identity in employment, housing, insurance, and public accommodations.
In July 2016, McBride delivered a powerful speech at the Democratic National Convention, becoming the first openly transgender person to address a major party convention in American history. Her inspiring story has been shared with the world through her memoir, Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality, which was published in 2018 and features a foreword by Joe Biden.
McBride has been credited with shaping President Biden's personal views and political evolution on transgender issues, cementing her status as a leading figure in the fight for trans equality. Her remarkable journey serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
