Picture a trailblazing advocate who turned personal courage into a national movement—meet Sarah McBride! Born in 1990 in Wilmington, Delaware, McBride is a transgender rights activist, author, and political pioneer whose memoir, Tomorrow Will Be Different, captures her fight for LGBTQ equality. From her historic speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention to her groundbreaking role as the first openly transgender member of Congress, McBride’s journey is a beacon of hope and authenticity.
With a light yet powerful voice, she’s reshaped how America talks about identity, love, and resilience. Ready to dive into her inspiring story?
The Making of Sarah McBride
Sarah McBride grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, the daughter of a lawyer and a high school guidance counselor who co-founded the Cab Calloway School of the Arts. From a young age, she was drawn to politics, volunteering for campaigns like Governor Jack Markell’s at just 14. But as a teenager, McBride grappled with her gender identity, feeling the weight of a world that didn’t yet know the real her. In 2011, at 21, she came out as transgender to her family, a pivotal moment that set her on a path of advocacy.
While studying at American University, McBride served as student body president and interned at the White House in 2012, becoming the first openly transgender woman to work there. Her early career blended political passion with a commitment to LGBTQ rights, laying the foundation for her transformative work.
Sarah McBride’s Unforgettable Stories
McBride’s most celebrated work is her 2018 memoir, Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality, with a foreword by Joe Biden. The book weaves her personal journey—coming out, falling in love, and losing her husband, Andrew Cray, to cancer just days after their 2014 wedding—with her advocacy for transgender rights. Its raw honesty and hopeful tone make it a cornerstone of LGBTQ literature.
In 2023, McBride contributed a foreword to Raising Kids Beyond the Binary by Jamie Bruesehoff, championing gender-diverse children. Her writing style is conversational yet profound, blending policy insights with heartfelt storytelling. Whether addressing the Delaware Senate or penning op-eds like “The Real Me” for American University’s The Eagle, McBride’s words humanize complex issues, inviting readers into her world of resilience and change.
Her 2016 TED Talk, “Gender Assigned to Us at Birth Should Not Dictate Who We Are,” further showcases her ability to distill big ideas into accessible, moving narratives. McBride’s work consistently bridges personal and political, making her a unique voice in advocacy and literature.
Why Sarah McBride Matters
Sarah McBride’s impact transcends her historic firsts. As the first openly transgender state senator in 2020 and U.S. Representative in 2025, she’s shown that authentic leadership can break barriers. Her advocacy helped pass Delaware’s 2013 Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Act, protecting transgender people in employment, housing, and more. Nationally, her work with the Human Rights Campaign and her influence on leaders like Joe Biden have advanced LGBTQ equality.
McBride’s story inspires countless young people, proving that democracy is “big enough” for everyone. Her ability to face adversity—from personal loss to political attacks—with grace and compassion makes her a role model for a more inclusive future.
About Sarah McBride
- Born: August 9, 1990, Wilmington, Delaware
- Key Work: Tomorrow Will Be Different (2018)
- Awards: Order of the First State, Delaware’s highest civilian honor
- Historic First: First openly transgender member of U.S. Congress (2025)
Want to feel inspired? Grab Tomorrow Will Be Different and dive into Sarah McBride’s powerful world of advocacy and hope!