Rep. Sarah McBride Calls for New Trans-Rights Strategy After Declining Public Support

In a recent video for a pro-transgender religious broadcaster, Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE) said public support for transgender rights has fallen compared with five years ago. She argued that many of the activist tactics used during that period “didn’t work” and that the movement must adopt a different approach.

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McBride described a prior strategy that encouraged activists to cut off conversations and even relationships with people who expressed anti-LGBTQ views.

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The representative urged allies to remain engaged with opponents, even when discussions are uncomfortable. She emphasized that staying “proximate” to dissenting voices allows for continued accountability and the possibility of changing hearts and minds. McBride also stressed that withdrawing from hostile environments may be necessary when a person’s mental or physical health is at risk.

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• “Many of the strategies and tactics that we employed over the last five years didn’t work,” — Rep. Sarah McBride, female-presenting activist

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• “This strategy of cutting off conversation and even cutting off relationships, it was done from a good place. I get when you’re an LGBTQ person, for instance, if you’re in a space where a person is saying deeply hurtful things about LGBTQ people,” — Rep. Sarah McBride, female-presenting activist

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• “You’re going to want to extract yourself from that situation. I have no problem with that happening, especially if someone’s mental and physical health is really at risk.” — Rep. Sarah McBride, female-presenting activist

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• “I don’t want all of my friends and family members and allies though to do the same with that person because I want my friends and family and allies to be able to be proximate to that person so that they can continue to have conversations — to push back, to hold them accountable,” — Rep. Sarah McBride, female-presenting activist

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These statements encapsulate McBride’s assessment of past tactics and her appeal for a more inclusive, conversation-focused advocacy model.

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