The country’s first transgender state senator was just sworn into office, making her the highest-ranking transgender elected official in U.S. history.
“I’ll take my oath today on my childhood bible, given to me when I was 8 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where I still attend today,” said Delaware Sen. Sarah McBride (D) in a tweet. “You get to pick whatever you’d like to swear in on and this is what I’ve chosen!”
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I’ll take my oath today on my childhood bible, given to me when I was 8 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where I still attend today.
You get to pick whatever you’d like to swear in on and this is what I’ve chosen! pic.twitter.com/xdX1eQ4UzA
— Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) January 12, 2021
In a tweet thread, McBride described the socially-distanced swearing-in ceremony held outside Wilmington’s Claymont Community Center.
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She wrote that she was sworn in wearing her wedding ring. Her husband passed away in 2014 due to cancer.
“Like every day, I’m wearing my wedding ring,” she wrote. “When I swear in with my left hand on the bible, it will be like Andy is right there with me. I know he is proud of me.”
Like every day, I’m wearing my wedding ring. When I swear in with my left hand on the bible, it will be like Andy is right there with me. I know he is proud of me. pic.twitter.com/dlFN0eSnAJ
— Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) January 12, 2021
McBride was joined by two young transgender advocates.
Rebekah and Trinity, two young trans advocates, are with me today. I asked them to hold the Bible while I take the oath. They inspire me every day. pic.twitter.com/ysXsat3qIP
— Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) January 12, 2021
And discussed the historical significance of the building she was sworn in in front of.
That change only occurred because Delawareans like the Claymont 12 and other young people dared to challenge the injustice of the status quo and to dream of a different world. pic.twitter.com/oJmaJTr807
— Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) January 12, 2021
“To the communities that raised me, molded me, supported me – thank you,” she tweeted later. “Your trust is moving and motivating. I’m ready to listen, work, and build.”
To the communities that raised me, molded me, supported me – thank you.
Your trust is moving and motivating. I’m ready to listen, work, and build. pic.twitter.com/ZKiPMWj10A— Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) January 12, 2021
“Time and time again, I’ve had the opportunity to see there is space for people of all different backgrounds, including trans people, in our politics,” McBride told LGBTQ Nation last February.
McBride, who is the former National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, will be representing Delaware’s first district and is focused on criminal justice reform, equal access to education, affordable healthcare, and increased access to paid medical leave.
