Lisa Goodman, the founding president of Equality Delaware, had a pivotal impact on the life and career of Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender state senator in the United States. After McBride came out, Goodman encouraged her to become an advocate for LGBTQ rights and predicted that she would do remarkable things. This prophecy proved true as McBride went on to intern at the White House, work at the Center for American Progress and the Human Rights Campaign, and become the first transgender person to speak at a major political convention.
Despite her impressive achievements, McBride faced tragedy when her husband, Andrew Cray, passed away from oral cancer shortly after they were married. Despite the heartbreak, McBride credits Cray with teaching her important lessons about creating real change and meeting people where they are. In particular, Cray’s ability to bridge contradictions and complexities in his advocacy work left a lasting impact on McBride.
As a state senator, McBride implemented her husband’s lessons by successfully sponsoring the Healthy Delaware Families Act, which provides paid family leave for employees in the state. This legislation, signed into law in 2022, exemplifies McBride’s commitment to delivering tangible results for the people she serves. With her ability to bridge gaps and navigate complexities, McBride continues to make a significant impact on LGBTQ rights and policy at the state level.
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