The New Yorker Radio Hour: Sarah McBride Wasn’t Looking for a Fight on Trans Rights
Episode Release Date: November 26, 2024
Hosted by David Remnick from WNYC Studios and The New Yorker
Introduction
In this compelling episode of The New Yorker Radio Hour, host David Remnick engages in an insightful conversation with Sarah McBride, the first transgender person ever elected to the United States Congress. Released on November 26, 2024, the episode delves deep into McBride's groundbreaking journey, the challenges she faces, and her vision for a more inclusive and effective political landscape.
Background: Sarah McBride's Historic Election
Sarah McBride made history by being elected to the House of Representatives from Delaware, marking a significant milestone for transgender representation in U.S. politics. As Remnick sets the stage, he recounts the initial resistance McBride faced from some Republican colleagues during her orientation for new Congressional members.
Quote:
"Sarah McBride was just elected to the House of Representatives from the state of Delaware. She's a Democrat and is currently serving in the State Senate, and McBride is the first transgender person elected to Congress ever."
— David Remnick [01:43]
Facing Political Opposition
Shortly after her election, McBride encountered overt political hostility. Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced a bill specifically targeting McBride, attempting to restrict her bathroom usage based on gender. Additionally, Speaker Mike Johnson made remarks that delegitimized transgender identities on what he termed "scriptural grounds."
Quotes:
"It's not going to end here. This shouldn't be going on any federal property. If you're a school or an institution that gets government funding, this kind of thing should be banned. I think it's sick. It's twisted."
— Sarah McBride [02:20]
"A man is a man and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman."
— Mike Johnson [02:37]
Navigating the Challenging Political Landscape
Remnick contrasts McBride's collaborative approach in the Delaware State Senate with the adversarial environment she now faces in Washington. In Delaware, McBride focused on bipartisan issues like healthcare access and wage increases, rarely addressing her gender identity. However, national politics, especially under the influence of figures like Donald Trump, have intensified anti-trans messaging.
Quote:
"The Republican Party in this country, in Congress has become... more interested in performance art and being professional provocateurs than being serious legislators and a serious governing party."
— Sarah McBride [05:21]
Embracing Grace and Resilience
Despite the aggression, McBride maintains a composed and strategic stance. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on substantive policy issues over personal attacks. McBride advocates for a politics of grace, encouraging understanding and growth rather than perpetuating division.
Quotes:
"I always knew that there would be some members of the Republican caucus who would seek to use my service... as an opportunity for them to distract from the fact that they have absolutely no real policy solutions."
— Sarah McBride [04:32]
"Everyone deals with an insecurity. Everyone deals with something that society has told them that they should be ashamed of or that they should hide."
— Sarah McBride [27:38]
Personal Journey and Coping with Adversity
McBride shares her personal struggles with harassment and online bullying, recounting moments when the vitriol nearly led her to contemplate suicide. Over time, through maturation and finding inner confidence, McBride learned to contextualize attacks and respond with compassion rather than despair.
Quotes:
"The vitriol that came back to me as a 20 something year old was so dehumanizing and so cruel and so mean... it was the first moment where I just went, I want to end this miserable experience."
— Sarah McBride [27:40]
"I have taken that insecurity, that thing that society has said you should be ashamed of and you should keep quiet. And I've not only accepted it, but I walk forward from a place of pride in it."
— Sarah McBride [28:04]
Vision for Congress and Democratic Leadership
McBride envisions a Congress that prioritizes genuine problem-solving over manufactured culture wars. She criticizes the diversion of attention from critical issues like workers' rights and healthcare to attacking marginalized groups. McBride underscores the necessity of Democrats embodying grace to foster national dialogue and enact meaningful change.
Quotes:
"We're shooting ourselves in the foot as people who believe in progress when we create no incentive for people to grow because they perceive that they will be permanently guilty for having been wrong."
— Sarah McBride [10:50]
"Every single time Republicans focus in on a small, vulnerable group of people... Republicans are focused on attacking a small group of people and we are here to actually address the issues that you care about."
— Sarah McBride [16:01]
Collaborative Approach and Future Interactions
When asked about working with Republican colleagues like Nancy Mace, McBride expresses openness to collaboration with those willing to engage in serious legislative work. She remains optimistic about bridging divides and promoting effective governance.
Quotes:
"I look forward to working with colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle who are serious about the work that they're doing, who have disagreements with me, perhaps profound disagreements with me, but who are serious about getting things done."
— Sarah McBride [32:04]
Legacy and Personal Motivations
McBride reflects on the influence of her late husband, Andrew Cray, an LGBTQ health advocate. His principled grace and resilience in the face of illness have profoundly shaped her approach to politics and personal adversity.
Quotes:
"He was someone of just immense grace, principled grace. He got sick about a year into our relationship... it has fundamentally shifted my perspective on the world and my ability to see that grace, to see beauty and tragedy, and to recognize that hope as an emotion only makes sense in the face of hardship."
— Sarah McBride [33:07]
Anticipating the Road Ahead
Looking forward, McBride acknowledges the formidable challenges awaiting her in Congress, including combating toxic political climates and addressing pressing national issues. She draws parallels with historical struggles, emphasizing perseverance and the conscious summoning of hope to drive progress.
Quotes:
"We have to recognize that that sense of inevitability with hard work that we felt 20 years ago, 30 years ago, that's the exception in our country's history."
— Sarah McBride [37:16]
"Hope is not always an organic emotion. Sometimes we have to consciously find it and consciously summon it."
— Sarah McBride [40:27]
Conclusion
Sarah McBride's narrative is one of resilience, grace, and unwavering commitment to substantive policy-making over divisive rhetoric. As she prepares to take her seat in Congress, McBride embodies the hope and determination necessary to navigate and transform the current political landscape. Her approach offers a blueprint for fostering meaningful change through empathy, collaboration, and a steadfast focus on the issues that matter most to constituents.
Final Quote:
"I just don't believe that we are [the first generation of Americans who are the first to give up on this country]. And I certainly believe that we don't have to be."
— Sarah McBride [40:27]
This detailed summary captures the essence of Sarah McBride's interview on The New Yorker Radio Hour, highlighting her strategic approach to politics, personal resilience, and vision for a more inclusive and effective governance system.