‘State of Firsts’ Review: Trans Congresswoman Sarah McBride Steps Into the Spotlight for a Doc That’s More Than Your Average Political Puff Piece

by

“Representation” takes two forms in Chase Joynt’s new documentary, State of Firsts.

I’m thrilled to share that my journey towards becoming Delaware’s representative in Congress, which will be showcased in a 93-minute film premiering at Tribeca, could potentially make history as the first openly trans individual to serve in Congress. While I’m honored by this opportunity for representation, I remain grounded and practical in my pursuit of this esteemed role.

McBride is both a cheerful pioneer and a shrewd politician, and it’s her ability to showcase these different aspects of herself that elevates “State of Firsts” beyond being merely a hagiographic, overly flattering portrayal.

McBride is not only a happy innovator but also a tactful politician, and it’s her knack for revealing these various sides of herself that transforms “State of Firsts” from being just a hagiographic exaggeration.

Instead of merely focusing on presenting McBride as a simple icon devoid of her political side, Joynt and editor Chris McNabb chose to portray her as a complex figure at a crucial juncture in both her personal life and the nation’s affairs. They hint that McBride might possess the strength to navigate her multiple “firsts” while setting herself up for meaningful future endeavors.

The narrative in State of Firsts follows McBride’s journey from mid-2024 to early 2025, starting with her groundbreaking term as a Delaware state representative and progressing to her candidacy for Congress. However, this political rise is interrupted when Donald Trump and the Republican Party seize on transphobic rhetoric, making McBride one of the nation’s most prominent figures in the process.

The documentary by Joynt commences with Joe Biden, Delaware’s own, as president, but he has recently concluded a disastrous debate that ultimately led to his departure from the presidential contest. We then accompany McBride throughout her everyday political activities, ranging from door-knocking to setting up campaign offices, to an unattended debate by her opponent. McBride counters suggestions that she’s primarily a trans candidate rather than a Delaware one, assuring that her key concerns – healthcare, paid family leave, and economic security – will resonate with the state where she was brought up.

Even though she understands that the predictable topic in interviews won’t concern Delaware’s state nickname, it’s challenging to pinpoint McBride’s feelings about the consistent trans-related questions she encounters, the pressure to tackle identity matters even during routine talks, and the fact that the 2024 Democratic Convention lacked a transgender speaker on the main stage. It’s not “resistance,” it’s not “fatigue,” and it’s not “caution.” Instead, it could be described as “awareness” – an awareness that regardless of her emphasis on representing the people of Delaware, there will always be additional factors brought up in the conversation.

As a follower keeping up with recent developments, I must say the tension seems to escalate further. Following the election, Representative Nancy Mace from South Carolina, instead of showing compassion after breaking her own gender barriers at The Citadel, chose to act in a boorish manner. Now, she’s exploiting McBride’s bathroom usage issue to boost her own profile. Remarkably, McBride’s responses have become a significant topic within her community itself.

As I navigate through the campaign trail, I can’t help but ponder if my presence as a trans candidate is fueling McBride’s growing self-awareness. Despite McBride’s consistent assertion that she represents Delaware and not the trans community, it feels like the director’s attention is just as drawn to me as the media. However, there are rare moments when a constituent brings up the Israel/Gaza conflict, and even then, it seems clear that while McBride has her ideological stance, she doesn’t seem particularly eager to discuss this topic either.

The documentary frequently showcases McBride, Joynt, along with McBride’s constant campaign manager, traveling in vehicles. During these sequences, McBride’s responses to the director’s questions are considered, heartfelt, and, if you’re familiar with her other interviews, she delivers them with a sense of readiness or consistent preparation. Essentially, State of Firsts is a film about a woman who spends much of her time giving interviews while anticipating more to come.

As a gamer putting myself in the shoes of the subject, I can say when McBride wasn’t responding to the director’s questions and if Joynt could blend into the backdrop, the documentary felt like a silent observer. It captured moments that revealed the genuine McBride – her vulnerability, quirky humor, and ardor for politics. These intimate scenes were more impactful than her public declarations or political messages.

In these private gatherings and behind-the-scenes meetings, the documentary showcased her raw emotions. The call from President Biden, the embrace with a trans constituent, and the brief moment she shared in joy with her family as they walked the Capitol halls on her first day – these instances gave State of Firsts a powerful emotional charge that I could feel deeply.

In “State of Firsts,” the protagonist grapples with the reality that she can’t separate herself into distinct roles such as McBride the individual, McBride the politician, McBride the Delaware representative, or McBride the trans pioneer. Instead, she must accept that she embodies all these aspects simultaneously and understand that it’s impossible to perfectly represent every role all the time. This depth makes “State of Firsts” more captivating than if it were simply a love letter.

Read More

2025-06-10 01:25