Sarah McBridewho, in 2016, was the first openly transgender person to address the Democratic National Conventionmade history again with a primary victory, setting her up for her likely win as the highest-ranking openly transgender legislator in the United States, The Washington Blade noted.
According to a Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) statement Windy City Times obtained, McBridenational press secretary for HRCwon the Democratic primary for Delaware's 1st state Senate District on Sept. 15.
HRC President Alphonso David said, in part, "Sarah is no stranger to making history. As the first transgender speaker at a national party convention, Sarah spoke for a community long ignored and pushed to the sidelines. As the first transgender person to work at the White House, she spoke truth to power advocating for her community in halls that were unfamiliar to anyone similar to her. Next year, as the first transgender state senator in our nation, Sarah will show that any child can achieve their dream, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation.
"While we will be sad to lose her as a staff member at the Human Rights Campaign, we are overjoyed to have been a piece of her story. Congratulations, Sarah."
In a separate release sent to WCT, LGBTQ Victory Fundwhich works to increase the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials at all levels of governmentsaid McBride's victory was critical to that organization's efforts to at least double the number of out trans state legislators in 2020, from four to eight or more. Only four out trans people have ever been elected to and served in state legislatures, and all still hold their seats.
President and CEO Mayor Annise Parker stated, "Sarah's primary win shatters another lavender ceiling in our movement to build LGBTQ political power and her victory will inspire more transgender people to run for elected office. At a time when the Trump administration, cynical politicians and too many state legislatures are attempting to use trans people as political weapons, Sarah's win is a powerful reminder that voters are increasingly rejecting the politics of bigotry in favor of candidates who stand for equality."