We love when Republicans make a major misstep. One of the most significant developments for the LGBTQ+ community in the 2024 election was the election of Sarah McBride to Congress from the state of Delaware. Delaware has only one congressional seat, meaning Sarah won the vote of the entire state. She’s incredibly popular in Delaware because she gets things done — and does so in an eloquent, relatable way. Oh, and one more thing: Sarah is trans, making her the first openly transgender member of Congress.
Naturally, some Republican members of Congress couldn’t leave that alone. On Nov. 18, Rep. Nancy Mace, one of the most right-wing members of the Republican caucus, introduced legislation aimed at banning McBride from using women’s restrooms in the Capitol. The bill would prohibit transgender women from using restrooms designated for women. “Playing make-believe dress-up doesn’t mean you should be allowed in women’s private spaces,” Mace wrote on X (formerly Twitter). According to the Daily Mail, Mace’s proposal would prohibit House members and staff from “using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex.” The sergeant at arms would be tasked with enforcing the measure. Mace further stated, “Biological men do not belong in private women’s spaces. Period. Full stop. End of story.”
Sarah McBride wasted no time responding.
“This is a blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists to distract from the fact that they have no real solutions to what Americans are facing,” McBride posted on X. “We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars.”
Here’s the hidden truth. During the election, one of the most heavily aired Republican TV commercials was an anti-trans ad. They spent a whopping $52 million nationwide on this campaign. You might remember the tagline: “Kamala’s for they/them. President Trump is for you.” It was the only anti-LGBTQ+ ad, and the fact that it focused solely on trans issues says a lot. Republicans have realized that their war against gay and lesbian Americans has largely failed, so now they’ve chosen to target the trans community.
As we’ve said for nearly 50 years now, our best tool for achieving equality is — and always has been — visibility. Sarah McBride is a fantastic communicator, and her very election makes her a major voice for transgender rights. The more Republicans target her, the more media attention she will gain, which, in the long run, will help “normalize” the trans community, just as gay and lesbian individuals have achieved in the past. It’s a long haul, but if I were placing a bet, I’d bet on Sarah any day.