Trust Sarah McBride

Sarah McBride

Before she has even been sworn in as the first trans Congresswoman in American history, Sarah McBride finds herself in bad territory.

On one hand, there are people like South Carolina Rep Nancy Mace who have been exploiting fears about trans women to constantly degrade her. For almost a week, Mace has been tweeting and retweeting invectives misgendering McBride and exploiting her own unfortunate status as rape victim to imply that McBride will be a predator against cis women, particularly in the ladies restrooms. 

And when she's not doing that, Mace is filming videos and interviews or selling swag, all in hopes of reaping the benefits of her "crusade." Never mind that the issue is moot for a number of reasons including the fact that McBride poses no danger to anyone or that all Congressional leaders have private bathrooms because apparently that doesn't matter more than the large amount of publicity Mace getting.

On the other hand, are members of the trans community who feel "betrayed" that McBride isn't forcefully addressing these attacks. They feel that she is capitulating and allowing herself to be degraded. They feel that she's sending ugly message to the public and to trans people by supposedly standing down.

With all due respect to the trans community and absolutely no respect to that vile woman Nancy Mace, I think we should trust Sarah McBride. She is in a very tenuous position as the first trans woman in Congress. Suddenly she's thrust in the spotlight as the most visible trans woman in America today. Unfortunately, that makes her a pioneer and a target. What Nancy Mace is doing right now will mostly likely a prelude to the attention McBride will be receiving which the world will be watching.

 I think the road she has taken thus far is smart as she focuses on the task at hand while not allowing herself to be sidetracked as a item in the war against the trans community. It would no doubt be easier for her right now to engage with Mace, but to do so would undermine everything she's working for.

This is what McBride told The Advocate on Thursday:

 “I’m here to represent my constituents, including LGBTQ constituents, but I’m not here to make this about me,” McBride said. “That means fighting for them and not allowing a right-wing culture war machine to turn me into the issue.” She added, “I am continuing to work to guarantee that the Capitol complex is safe for all staff, interns, and visitors. I can deal with this; other people shouldn’t have to.” 

McBride is not stupid. She isn't naive about where she is right now, her place in history, or the folks who will exploit fears about her being a trans woman. She knows that Mace won't stop as long as it brings her media attention and engagement. And she knows that there are others practically drooling over their turn use her to inflame fears and anger. 

But for the present, McBride is drawing a line in the sand or setting down her stake, so to speak. I don't see her as avoiding the issue, I see her saying that she will not be controlled by someone else's desperate desire for attention. I see her saying that she will not react to someone attempting to sidetrack her into a wild tangent designed to put her on the defensive even before she has even been sworn in.

I don't see McBride as capitulating. I get the sense that McBride is saying that she knows that this issue isn't going away, but she will address this issue on her terms, and not on the terms of those who seek to make her defend her own existence.