SARAH McBride was married to LGTBQ+ activist Andrew Cray.
In November 2024, she became the first transgender person elected to Congress — here we look at Sarah’s relationship with her late husband, as well as his political achievements.
FacebookSarah McBride and Andrew Cray married in 2014[/caption]
Who was Sarah McBride’s husband Andrew Cray?
Andrew Cray, 28, was an American activist who championed for constitutional protection in the LGBTQ+ community.
He worked closely with the Department of Health and Human Services to create the Out2Enroll initiative.
FacebookThe two met at the White House and bonded over movies and similar tastes[/caption]
His plan was to connect LGBTQ people with health insurance coverage options.
Additionally, he sought to assist with the passage of the HOPE Act to make organ donation and transplantation more accessible to people with HIV.
He worked to draft new provisions addressing the needs of LGBTQ+ youth for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
Andrew was a founding member of Trans Legal Advocates of Washington, which trains attorneys on transgender legal issues and operates pro bono legal clinics for transgender clients.
When Sarah and Andrew got married
Sarah and Andrew tied the knot in August of 2014.
The two reportedly bumped into each other at the White House and the two bonded over movies over a social media direct message.
“It was really adorable,” she told the Lily publication.
“When he came to pick me up in his car, I remember he looked so suave with his dark-rimmed glasses,” Sarah said.
AP:Associated PressMcBride’s father said that Cray was ‘a dream come true’ for her[/caption]
“I was still relatively new to coming out and I was in awe of the confidence he carried himself with as a trans person. He saw me as me. It was one of the first times I felt that.”
Her father regarded Andrew as “a dream come true” for Sarah, claiming that the two were a great match for one another.
Getty – ContributorShe worked alongside Andrew Cray to fight for LGBTQ rights, as the two shared the same values[/caption]
“The concern I had for her the most is will she find someone who loves her?” Sarah’s father, Dave told the publication.
“Andy was such a godsend. It was a dream come true.”
Did Sarah McBride win the Delaware Senate?
McBride made history on election night when she won Delaware’s state senate in a race against Republican candidate Steve Washington
In July of 2019, McBride announced that she was running for Delaware Senate
Her campaign focused on paid family leave and health care
McBride became the first openly transgender state senator in the nation
She replaced Sen. Harris McDowell, a Democrat who retired at the end of his term
How Andrew Cray died
Andrew passed away four days later after the two had tied the knot due to oral tongue cancer.
He had reportedly gone through a 12-hour surgery and Sarah stayed with him to care as he recovered.
“It was overwhelming for both of us,” Sarah told the Lily.
Getty Images – GettySarah McBride took care of Andrew Cray as he dealt with a tongue cancer diagnosis[/caption]
“He couldn’t help but worry I would bail. I think it was always there in the back of his mind.”
On the whiteboard in his hospital room, nurses wrote a message for the newlyweds each day: “Happy second anniversary. Happy third anniversary. Happy fourth anniversary.”
What did Obama do after his death?
President Obama posthumously awarded Andrew as a Champion of Change for his contributions to LGBTQ health.
In addition to Obama’s recognition, the Cray family established the Andrew Cray Memorial Scholarship to support LGBTQ young people in their post-secondary life.
BRANDON BELLBarack Obama awarded Andrew Cray after his death for his work with the LGBTQ+ community[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
