GLAAD RESPONDS TO ELECTION OF SARAH MCBRIDE AS FIRST OUT TRANSGENDER MEMBER OF CONGRESS

GLAAD: “The election of Sarah McBride is groundbreaking for the transgender community and our entire country, and it is no surprise. Sarah is a spectacular public servant who works her heart out to improve people’s lives. Sarah’s win is a victory for transgender visibility, and should serve as a reminder that trans people should of course be free to be themselves and contribute their talents. Her voice and presence will ensure that Congress better represents the best of America.  Congratulations to Sarah and to her constituents on this historic milestone that will accelerate acceptance for all transgender people.”

(New York, NY – November 5, 2024) – GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, is responding to the election of Sarah McBride as the first out transgender member of Congress.

McBride was elected by 58% of the vote in Delaware. She previously served in the Delaware state senate.

Statement from GLAAD’s President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis (she/her), on Instagram, Twitter/X, and here:
“The election of Sarah McBride is groundbreaking for the transgender community and our entire country, and it is no surprise. Sarah is a spectacular public servant who works her heart out to improve people’s lives. Sarah’s win is a victory for transgender visibility, and should serve as a reminder that trans people should of course be free to be themselves and contribute their talents. Her voice and presence will ensure that Congress better represents the best of America. Congratulations to Sarah and to her constituents on this historic milestone that will accelerate acceptance for all transgender people.”

Additional research:

• LGBTQ voters made the deciding difference in the 2020 election and are poised to do so again in 2024. More than 1 in 5 Gen Z Americans (ages 18-26) are out as LGBTQ, the most out generation in history. Nearly 30% of Gen Z women are LGBTQ.
• GLAAD’s Accelerating Acceptance Study shows supermajority support for LGBTQ people, though support has dipped in the last year and Gen Z is increasingly a target for harassment and discrimination:
  • 80% of non-LGBTQ Americans support LGBTQ equal rights, down from a record high of 84% one year ago
  • 95% of non-LGBTQ Americans believe schools should be safe and accepting for all youth
  • 93% say children should be taught to appreciate and accept people as they are
  • 70% of Gen Z LGBTQ adults report discrimination based on their sexual orientation
  • Fewer than 30% of Americans say they personally know a transgender person

• GLAAD polling showed 53% of both registered and likely 2024 voters say they would oppose “a political candidate [who] speaks frequently about restricting access to health care and participation in sports for transgender youth.”
• GLAAD’s Studio Responsibility Index evaluated 260 major studio releases, counted170 LGBTQ characters counted, among them only two transgender characters, down from 13 in the previous year. 8 characters were nonbinary.
• GLAAD’s Where We Are on TV Report shows of the 468 LGBTQ characters counted across scripted broadcast, cable, and streaming, 24 (five percent) are transgender, down 8 characters from the previous season.