The first US trans voting center opened over the weekend in Los Angeles.
The voting location is at the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center, located on North Martel Street, and is open for the nominating contest in California on March 5th. The center opened in September 2021 and is named after Connie Norman, known as the “AIDS Diva,” a fearless trans and AIDS activist who died of the disease in 1996. This center welcomes all voters, with organizers highlighting its role as a supportive and empowering environment specifically for the trans, non-binary, and broader LGBTQ+ community.
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The voting center is open from March 2nd to March 5th, and will reopen for the Presidential election in November.
“I couldn’t be prouder that L.A.’s Fifth Council District is now home to the first voting center in the nation located in a transgender facility,” said City Council-member Katy Yaroslavsky.
“As extremists across the country continue their endless attacks on both the LGBT community and our democracy, Los Angeles must stand as a beacon of hope,” she said. “I want to thank CONOTEC for opening this voting center and for the critical work they do every day to support the needs of the Los Angeles transgender and nonbinary community.”
“The opening of the nation’s first transgender voting center today in Los Angeles marks a significant milestone in our efforts to champion equity, inclusivity, and LGBTQA+ rights in California,” said Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis. “By providing a safe and affirming space for the transgender community to exercise their fundamental right to vote, we are breaking down barriers and ensuring every Californian has equal access to the ballot box.”
“Fighting to provide a safe and welcoming place for our transgender and non-binary siblings is exactly why the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center exists. We will continue to work towards equality for all,” said Queen Victoria Ortega, international president of FLUX.
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