Overview

• Sarah McBride, a Democrat from Delaware, made history as the first transgender person elected to the U.S. Congress, winning her seat on November 5, 2024.
• Her election has already drawn criticism from Republican lawmakers, including a proposed resolution to bar transgender women from using women's restrooms in the Capitol.
• McBride, a longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, has pledged to focus on the everyday concerns of her constituents while acknowledging the symbolic weight of her role.
• Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have supported measures restricting transgender rights, reflecting broader cultural and political divisions in the U.S.
• McBride's victory comes as debates over transgender issues, such as sports participation and access to healthcare, remain contentious topics in American politics.