Sarah McBride is the first openly trans person to speak at a major political party’s convention.
“My name is Sarah McBride, and I am a proud transgender American,” McBride, the Human Rights Campaign’s national press secretary, said from the Democratic National Convention stage in Philadelphia. “Four years ago, I came out as transgender while serving as student body president in college. At the time, I was scared. I worried that my dreams and my identity were mutually exclusive.
“Since then though, I have seen that change is possible. I witnessed history while interning in the White House and helping my home state of Delaware pass protections for transgender people. Today, I see this change in the work of the LGBT Caucus and in my own job at the Human Rights Campaign.”
McBride’s inclusion in Thursday’s program is a significant milestone for the LGBT community, and it sends a strong message that transgender people and their voices matter.
A record number of LGBTQ delegates also be attended the Democratic convention.The party is billed to adopt the most inclusive and progressive platform ever on LGBTQ equality. That proposed platform includes planks endorsing comprehensive non-discrimination protections, opposing anti-LGBTQ bills, condemning violence against transgender people, and calling for LGBTQ equality to continue to be a part of U.S. foreign policy. Mara Keisling, veteran trans advocate, served on the platform committee.
The appearance on centre stage comes one week after Caitlyn Jenner, an avowed Republican who is the world’s most famous transgender woman, defended gender rights in Cleveland on the sidelines of the Republican convention that picked Donald Trump as their party’s nominee.
Watch her historic speech here:
