Last year, many of us woke up on this day feeling defeated, sad, angry and some, downright scared. But today, we woke up with far more hope, celebration, and excitement.
The first openly transgender woman of color was elected to the city council of Minneapolis and the first openly transgender woman beat out an anti-LGBT lawmaker in Virginia’s house of delegates.
While we know we still have a huge fight ahead of us, and in no way should we get comfortable, for the moment let’s let it sink in how absolutely huge this moment in history is. How long overdue. How glorious. Let’s meet those fabulous women changing the world:
Andrea Jenkins:
Andrea Jenkins is a black transgender women poet (yay poetry!!), writer, performance artist, activist and is now a member of Minneapolis City Council. Jenkins’ campaign centered around on police reform, affordable housing, and raising the minimum wage.
“As an African American trans-identified woman, I know firsthand the feeling of being marginalized, left out, thrown under the bus. Those days are over. We don’t just want a seat at the table, we want to set the table,” Jenkins said in her victory speech, according to NewNowNext. Congratulations, Andrea Jenkins!
Danica Roem
Danica Roem is one of the nation’s first openly transgender elected officials. She is a politician, journalist and sings in a metal band called Cab Ride Home (how cool!!!). She beat out Virginia’s most socially conservative lawmaker (boy bye!) for a spot in the Virginia House of Delegates. Her campaign centered around jobs, schools and traffic. Go Danica!
For more amazing democratic victories, check out this list.
Today, history is made. Today, we are proud.
