Sarah McBride made models of the White House when she was 6. Her childhood dream, as a Delawarean, was to meet Joe Biden. Then last November, one of her ambitions came true when was elected to the House of Representatives. She became the first openly trans member of Congress, a historic achievement that also happened to coincide with a rise in anti-trans sentiment and the election of Donald Trump. We talk with McBride about how she navigates Congress, personally and politically, and how she thinks Democrats can make it through the minefield of the culture wars. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/podsub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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In November, two weeks after Representative Sarah McBride of Delaware became the first trans member of Congress, Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced a bill that would forbid transgender women from using female restrooms in the U.S. Capitol, which was McBride's new workplace.
And when asked if this was in direct response to McBride's win, Mace responded with, quote, yes, and absolutely, and then some.
I'm not going to stand for a man. You know, if someone with a penis is in the women's locker room, that's not OK.
Then last month, in March, at a House hearing. I now recognize the representative from Delaware, Mr. McBride. Representative Keith Self of Texas introduced McBride by misgendering her, to which she replied. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Ranking Member Keating, also wonderful. Mr. Chairman, could you repeat your introduction again, please? That is the biggest takeaway for me. One of the biggest takeaways for me is how much Congress is sadly a reality TV show.
Meaning that it's performative?
And meaning that the goal of the day is to get airtime. And in order to get airtime, the easiest way is to use the strategies of folks on Bravo TV shows where to get airtime, you pick a person, pick a fight with them, throw wine in their face, and that gets airtime.
And that's not only the strategy, but really the defining feature of what is a win versus a loss for a lot of the Republican members of Congress.
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