Sarah McBride says her ‘life is at risk’ as a trans congresswoman
LGBTQ

Sarah McBride says her ‘life is at risk’ as a trans congresswoman


WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 21: U.S. Rep Sarah McBride speaks during a rally opposing House Republicans Tax Proposal prior to the final House Vote on Capitol Hill on May 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Families Over Billionaires)

Sarah McBride has said she refuses to be “martyred” after admitting her “life is at risk” as a trans congresswoman.

The Delawarean Democrat said her position as a trans US politician puts her life under threat, but that she refuses to let that stop her continuing to fight for her constituents.

“It’s hard to play the long game when your short-term life is at risk,” McBride said of trying to challenge the wave of transphobia currently sweeping the US.

McBride, who was sworn-in as the first ever out trans member of Congress in January, has routinely accused Republicans of trying to “distract” from the “real issues” facing Americans by forcing her to fight back against anti-trans policies and rhetoric.

In November, Republicans passed a resolution prohibiting trans lawmakers from using “single-sex” facilities such as toilets or changing rooms. Nancy Mace, who brought the petition, said it was “absolutely” targeted at McBride.

Sarah McBride speaking into a microphone during a panel.
Sarah McBride says she is at ‘risk’ as a trans Democratic congresswoman. (Getty)

Speaking at the Saturday (7 June) premiere of a State of Firsts, a documentary about McBride’s election, the House member said Republicans were employing the “strategies of reality TV.”

“You have to remove the incentives for these people, because at the end of the day the incentive is attention,” she continued.

In the documentary, as reported by Mother Jones, McBride said she refuses to take the anti-trans bait, saying that it distracts her from the work she was elected to do.

“We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars,” she said

After the House passed the resolution, McBridge said in a statement that she would comply with the policy and was “not here to fight about bathrooms.” The statement was dubbed a “betrayal” from portions of the trans community and allies.

Delaware Representative-elect Sarah McBride
Sarah McBride originally ran for office to honour her late husband’s memory (Getty)

Addressing the divisive decision, McBride said that while she disagreed with the resolution, refusing to comply would put “a bounty on my head.”

“The disobedience isn’t taking a toilet seat; the disobedience is taking this congressional seat,” she continued. “I refuse to be martyred. I want to be a member of Congress.”

Long-term, McBride said she was adamant that her presence in Congress would change things for the better through the “power of proximity,” which she said has “doesn’t change everything, but has an impact.”

“There are people who think representation doesn’t matter at all and there are people who think it will solve everything, and it’s somewhere in the middle.”

A recent poll from Gallup found that 40 per cent of US adults believe it is “morally acceptable” to change gender, down from 44 per cent in 2024.

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