Whatever the motivation, we would proudly claim McBride as an official near-Marylander. She may be from Delaware but her focus, her discipline and her courage would always be welcome in the Free State. Baltimore Sun editorial writers offer opinions and analysis on news and issues relevant to readers. They operate separately from the newsroom.

"As the first and only out transgender member of Congress, Sarah will be putting herself on the line every day in a way that’s never been done before," writes HRC's Jay Brown.

Many in our community were quick to criticize Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride, accusing her of “capitulating” to a new Congressional bathroom rule introduced by Republicans.

ANALYSIS: A vicious bullying campaign from her Republican colleagues-to-be about women’s bathrooms in the Capitol has put America’s first openly transgender member of congress in an impossible position,

"Every single time we hear them say the word 'trans,' look what they're doing with their right hand,” Rep.-elect Sarah McBride said.

Del., the first openly transgender person elected to serve in Congress, on Sunday called House Republicans’ moves to ban her from using women’s bathrooms in the Capitol “mean-spirited” and an “attempt to misdirect” from other policy priorities.