Your Voice Your Vote 2024

Live results
Updated: Nov. 7, 2:35 PM ET

Transgender Woman Sarah McBride Becomes First to Address a National Convention at DNC

Sarah McBride spoke to the Democratic National Convention tonight.

ByABC News
July 28, 2016, 6:12 PM

PHILADELPHIA, Penn.— -- An LGBT activist made history today by being the first transgender woman to address a national political convention.

Sarah McBride, who now works at the Human Rights Campaign, told her story at the Democratic convention and said that while "LGBTQ people are still targeted by hate that lives in both laws and in hearts... tomorrow can be different."

"Four years ago, I came out as transgender while serving as student body president in college. At the time, I was scared. I worried that my dreams and my identity were mutually exclusive," she said.

McBride also told how she fell in love with a transgender man named Andy, who later was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

"We married in 2014, and just five days after our wedding, he passed away," she said, but noted that "more than anything else, his passing taught me that every day matters when it comes to building a world where every person can live their life to the fullest."

McBride endorsed Clinton during the speech, saying she would be an advocate for the transgender community.

"Hillary Clinton understands the urgency of our fight. She’ll work with us to pass the Equality Act, to combat violence against transgender women of color, and to end the HIV and AIDS epidemic once and for all," she said.

Related Topics