When Capitulation Fails

Reflecting on the Sarah McBride Controversy

Like so many trans people and allies, I’ve watched the situation surrounding Representative-Elect Sarah McBride unfold with a mix of disgust and dismay. Her historic election as the first openly transgender woman to the U.S. House of Representatives should have been a moment of triumph, especially following an election cycle where the GOP leaned heavily into anti-trans rhetoric, spending over $100 million on transphobic advertising. Yet, any joy at this milestone has been dampened—on one hand by the vicious attacks she’s faced and on the other by her response to those attacks.

Let’s begin with the facts. Sarah McBride is the Representative-Elect for Delaware, a state with just one at-large seat in the House. Before her election to Congress, she served as a state senator for Delaware’s 1st Senate District and held the role of national press secretary for the Human Rights Campaign. McBride has been a trailblazer, from becoming the first openly trans person to speak at the Democratic National Convention to successfully lobbying Delaware to ban gender identity discrimination.

Despite this record, her election immediately made her a target. South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace—a Republican now serving her second term—launched an aggressive campaign to ban McBride from using women’s facilities at the Capitol and to push similar bans for all trans individuals in federal buildings. Mace escalated her rhetoric on Twitter, posting obsessively over a 24-hour period before introducing legislation to codify this discrimination under the guise of "protecting women."

The Hypocrisy of Nancy Mace

What makes Mace’s attack particularly galling is its performative nature. Just three years ago, Mace claimed to “strongly support LGBTQ rights and equality” and even backed mildly positive measures for LGBTQ people. Her sudden shift aligns perfectly with the GOP's broader strategy of scapegoating trans people for political gain. Mace’s performative bigotry—complete with a video of her taping “biological” above a Capitol women’s restroom sign—is a calculated effort to pander to the radical right.

But fake or not, the consequences of her actions are very real. By securing the Christian Nationalist Speaker of the House’s agreement to implement discriminatory rules and pushing for legislation, Mace has set the tone for the upcoming congressional session: a focus on performative cruelty over substantive governance.

This strategy doesn’t just harm McBride; it energizes state-level bigotry. Ohio, for example, recently passed an anti-trans bathroom ban in schools and colleges during its lame-duck legislative session. State Senator Kristina Roegner, in supporting the bill, openly tied its justification to the national election results, claiming they were a mandate to double down on anti-trans policies.

“Ohioans and Americans, quite frankly, don’t want boys in girls' sports. They don’t want boys in girls' locker rooms. They don’t want boys in girls' bathrooms. It’s for the safety of the kids, and this message was sent loud and clear last week during the national election. I say we listen.” ¹

McBride’s Response and Its Fallout

In the face of these attacks, McBride’s response has been disappointing to many in the trans community. She issued a statement that seemed to minimize the severity of the situation and agreed to comply with the discriminatory rules imposed by the Speaker of the House. While this response has been lauded by some mainstream politicians as dignified and pragmatic, it has left many trans people feeling betrayed.

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Why such a stark divide in perception? For those unfamiliar with the daily realities of being trans in America, McBride’s response may appear noble—a strategic effort to rise above petty attacks and focus on broader legislative goals. But for the trans community, her decision feels like a capitulation to bigotry. The analogy often drawn is stark: it’s akin to Rosa Parks agreeing to move to the back of the bus to “win favor” with her oppressors.

As a trans former candidate in a heavily Republican district, I understand how deeply personal and painful these attacks can be. Balancing authenticity with broad appeal is a delicate act, and no one gets it right all the time. Politicians are human, and missteps happen. However, capitulation to bigotry has never—and will never—lead to less bigotry.

The Consequences of Capitulation

McBride’s decision to comply with these discriminatory rules has not led to a softening of right-wing rhetoric. Instead, it has emboldened her detractors. Nancy Mace has since escalated her attacks, openly misgendering McBride and declaring,

“It is offensive that a man in a skirt could ever think [she’s] my equal.” ³

Other right-wing figures have piled on, deadnaming McBride and even suggesting she should not be allowed to dress as a woman at the Capitol.

If McBride’s intention was to de-escalate the situation, it has failed spectacularly. The response from the radical right makes it clear that their hatred is insatiable and that appeasement only encourages further attacks.

Where Do We Go From Here?

While I am not ready to write off Sarah McBride entirely (although I am painfully close), I can unequivocally say that her decision was a mistake—one with far-reaching consequences for the trans community. As the highest-ranking openly trans elected official in the nation, McBride has a responsibility not only to represent Delaware but also to stand up for trans people everywhere. Sadly her statements don’t appear to line up with that fact.

I’m not a spokesperson for a movement, I’m a voice for all Delawareans — and when we see the incoming administration talk negatively about any vulnerable community, I guarantee you it’s an attempt to distract from the fact that in that same moment, they are picking the pockets of American workers and fleecing seniors by trying to privatize critical programs like social security and medicare. ⁴

This fight is not just about her; it’s about the broader attack on our community. Transphobia is not a problem that can be solved with politeness or appeasement. It requires courage and a refusal to back down in the face of injustice.

As trans people and allies, we must continue to push back against bigotry wherever it arises. And for Representative-Elect McBride, I hope this moment serves as a turning point—an opportunity to recognize that when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.

1. Ohio Senate session on November 13, 2024 - time stamp 1:15:27

2. Statement for Representative-Elect Sarah McBride via Twitter X

3. Nancy Mace on Newsmax - time stamp 3:54

4. Sarah McBride statement on Twitter X, sharing a video of her appearance on MSNBC