THE APEX TIMES
In “State of Firsts,” Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) discusses how she tried to be seen as a whole person during her campaign and after taking office.
Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) pushed back against a framing that she said reduces her to a single identity as a new documentary, “State of Firsts,” offers an inside look at the campaign and early months that brought her to the House.
In an interview with ITK that accompanies coverage of the film, McBride said the goal was “to ensure that I am seen as a whole human being rather than just a walking trans flag,” describing the “unbelievable challenge” of running for office and serving in public office as the first openly transgender member of Congress.
McBride, 35, said a key part of her experience in the 2024 campaign was that the identity that made her a “first” became a center of national political debate, even though, she said, her district was “not significantly or predominantly made up of that same very identity.” She described that tension as something she had to navigate while also making the case for her policy priorities.
According to McBride’s comments in the documentary coverage, she said political opponents tried to characterize her as a single-issue legislator or an “activist” focused on one set of issues. McBride said she responded by emphasizing that she is “crystal clear” she is “not only am I a whole person, but that my priorities reflect the priorities of my constituents.”
The documentary’s coverage also includes McBride opening up about post-election dynamics with newly sworn-in colleagues. She told the cameras she was facing “mean and rude” jabs from some colleagues after taking office last year, and described her job as “to not give them the response they” were seeking, while continuing to carry out her work in Congress.
“State of Firsts” portrays McBride’s account of both personal and political pressure points as she navigated national attention and local representation, while also tying the story to the broader theme of being a first in a public role. McBride said she is “proud” of her identity and of her life journey, but she also said she is “so much more than that one part of my journey.”
The film’s framing, as reflected in the interview coverage, centers on how McBride sought to separate her lived experience from the expectation that her congressional service would revolve solely around her gender identity. The documentary also highlights the practical challenge of representing a district while being treated by some critics and on social media as a symbol rather than as an elected lawmaker.
The documentary is released as lawmakers and outside organizations continue to debate how best to discuss transgender rights in public policy and political discourse. For McBride, the core message described in the interview is that she wants voters and colleagues to see her as a full legislator with a broader agenda, even as she acknowledges the historical significance of being the first openly transgender member of Congress.
