Thread by @cmclymer

In early 2012, I had just been medically-retired from the military and living in my friend's house in D.C. and trying to come to grips with my dream of an Army career being put to bed. But I was also struggling with something else, and I didn't know how to talk about it. (thread)

I had long known by then that I'm transgender--knew it from the time I was a kid that something was incongruent but didn't know the word "transgender" or how to articulate what I was feeling. But I hadn't accepted it + I kept thinking to myself: maybe I'm not trying hard enough?

That is... I felt that maybe I wasn't trying hard enough to be at peace with the traditional gender expressions of my sex assigned at birth. Be happy with what you have, etc. Be grateful. I remember this being very heavily on my mind one day when I came across an article online.

It was an op-ed written by the Student Body President of American University, just miles away from me, and in it, a day after she finished her term in office, @SarahEMcBride came out to the world in the university paper so eloquently. theeagleonline.com/article/2012/0…

I remember laying on the couch feeling very depressed that day and reading this and getting a much-needed jolt of optimism. It was someone articulating part of my experience saying: it's okay, we're going to get through this. You will survive and thrive.

It took me several years of therapy and feeling secure enough in my skin to come out but along the way, in 2016, I met Sarah in person at an event. It was just us, and I told her I was on my journey and trying to figure out how to come out. And I remember...

...the look of genuine compassion and understanding and warmth on her face. She asked if she could give me a hug and enveloped me in this sisterly embrace. She told me I would know when the time was right. I cannot emphasize enough how much I needed to hear that.

I would go on to come out as a proud trans woman and someday work at @HRC with Sarah as a colleague. She never forgot about me. She would periodically check-in to see how I was doing. She made the time to be a friend and mentor. Sarah McBride was there for me.

And now, I want to be there for Sarah and yet, not because of her friendship and pure kindness but because I strongly believe Sarah McBride is the kind of person we need in elected office. Because as luck would have it...

Sarah McBride is now running for the Delaware State Senate. She would be the first open-trans state senator in U.S. history. But more importantly: she would be the kind of elected official so sorely needed in today's politics. Someone who puts service before self.

This weekend, I want to raise $5,000 for Sarah McBride's campaign. And I want you to join me and make a donation. Everyone making a donation should reply w/ a screenshot, and I will RT that and follow you on here.

Let's get it done! Donate here: secure.actblue.com/donate/sarah-f…