Trans News Worldwide

[smalltownguy]

July 12, 2018

Transgender Miss Universe contender speaks up for trans kids

MADRID – The first transgender woman to compete in the global Miss Universe pageant wants to make history as a role model for trans children around the globe — no matter whether she wins or not the top beauty title.

The 26-year-old Angela Ponce beat 20 other contestants in the Miss Universe Spain gala on June 29, qualifying for the global round of the pageant, which has allowed transgender participation since 2012.

The location and dates for this year’s contest have yet to be announced. But Ponce is already planning to use it as a platform to draw attention toward high rates of suicides among trans teenagers, as well as legal codes that still discriminate against them around the world.

“If my going through all this contributes to the world moving a little step forward, then that’s a personal crown that will always accompany me,” Ponce told The Associated Press at the offices of the Miss Universe franchise in central Madrid.

The Spanish capital has just wrapped up its 2018 week-long pride celebrations, whose main theme was a call for equality and greater visibility for people with nonbinary gender identity. Rights campaigners marching last Saturday welcomed the World Health Organization’s recent move to take trans identities off the official list of mental health disorders, but highlighted discrimination faced by transgender people of all ages, including employment discrimination.

A study published last year by the European transgender group TGEU found that 77.5 percent of 885 transgender people over 16 years-old polled in Georgia, Poland, Serbia, Spain and Sweden had considered taking their own lives and that 24.5 percent of respondents had made at least one attempt.

Ponce said she had suffered discrimination before as a model, being rejected for fashion events or shoots once designers or organizers discovered she had undergone a sex reassignment procedure.

But in those moments, she said her life motto — “To be the best is not an option, is a must” — gave her strength.

She said her experience growing up in a “loving and supporting family” but without any role models in a small town in southern Spain, near Sevilla, can be a useful story for others.

“My parents never had to go to school to demand any changes in attitudes, I did it myself,” Ponce said, highlighting how she would meet aside with every new teacher and tell them: “Whatever name appears in the roll call, you should call me Angela.”

The 1.77-meter (5 foot, 11 inch) model’s career took off after she won a provincial beauty award in 2015, reaching new heights last month with the Miss Universe pageant.

“I closed my eyes,” she said recalling the victory. “All I wanted was to feel how they put on the crown because I was aware that it was a historical moment.”

In 2012, 23-year-old Jenna Talackova was banned from Canada’s Miss Universe pageant for not being a “naturally born” female. The organization — run at the time by now U.S. President Donald Trump — changed the regulations after she threatened legal action. Talackova made it to the shortlist in Canada, but didn’t win entry to the international contest.

Six years later, Ponce says that transphobia remains a global problem, even in Spain, a country she sees as a pioneer in the protection of LGBT rights.

After Ponce’s victory in the Spanish beauty title, she received hundreds of messages of support on social media, but also some criticism — even from some feminist, gay or transgender users who decried beauty pageants in general as objectification.

“We can’t be hypocritical,” said Ponce, rejecting the charges and describing her victories as success for all transgender people. “Beauty is used to sell everything around us, and beauty can also help us spread a message of equality.”

[smalltownguy]

July 21, 2018

Supergirl Casts First Transgender Superhero on TV -- Find Out Who It Is!

The first transgender superhero on TV is coming to National City.

Supergirl will introduce Nia Nal, aka Dreamer, in the upcoming fourth season of The CW's superhero drama, it was announced Saturday at Comic-Con. Transgender activist and actress Nicole Maines (Royal Pains, The Trans List) will play the series regular role.

Nia Nal is the newest addition to the CatCo reporting team, with similar traits to Cat Grant. A soulful, 20-something, transgender woman with a fierce drive to protect others, Nia’s journey means fulfilling her destiny as the superhero Dreamer, much like Kara (Melissa Benoist) came into her own as Supergirl.

"I think, first and foremost, Supergirl has always been about being inclusive," Benoist told ET's Kevin Frazier on the Warner Bros. red carpet ahead of the show's panel. "I like to think of her as a humanist even more than a feminist, and that she's accepting of everyone, so I hope that this character will represent a story that hasn't been told for a lot of people, and I hope she'll inspire a lot of people."

Benoist's co-stars agreed, praising Maines' casting and the show's new character. "When they offered me this show, the one reason I wanted to do it is because I had an 8-year-old goddaughter, and I wanted to be able to say, 'This is something you should watch. This is what women are, this is what women should be and this is what women can be,'" explained Katie McGrath, who plays Lena Luthor. "There [is] every type of women to admire on this show. There are the superheroes and then there are the scientists. There are the reporters and then there are the badasses. There's something for everyone."

"It means that, no matter what woman you are, you are a hero," she added. "And also men as well; it doesn't just stop with women. But what's great about this show is it shows so many different types of people and so many different types of heroes. You don't have to just wear a super suit to be a hero."

Maines made a surprise appearance during the Supergirl panel, where the cast gave her a standing ovation.

“It feels crazy to be honest,” Maines said of her casting process. “I’ve just been doing a lot of auditions lately, because a lot of different shows have been really eager to tell the stories of transgender people, especially transgender youth, because it’s an important issue right now in our society and in our world. It seems only fitting to have a trans superhero for kids to look up to.”

As for how Nia finds her way to National City, Maines teased that she worked for Cat Grant in Washington, D.C., and relocates to be under Kara’s wing at CatCo and taught the ways of “superhero-ing.” “She’s so wide-eyed. She’s just happy to be included,” Maines said. “She has this ferocious drive to protect people and to fight against discrimination and hatred and she’s the superhero we need right now.”

Maines, who was the subject of the 2015 book Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family, is a transgender actress whose story was featured in the HBO documentary The Trans List. She also played a transgender teen in a guest appearance on USA Network's Royal Pains.

Maines' casting isn't the only groundbreaking move by Supergirl. Two seasons ago, Supergirl revealed that Kara's older, adoptive sister, Alex (Chyler Leigh), was gay.

"Having a queer character on the show, it’s a really big deal. And I knew the magnitude of this -- there’s not a lot of representation out there," Leigh told Variety in February 2017. "We wanted to bring great awareness and tell an authentic story."

On Saturday's carpet, the actress told ET, "I think this is just a wonderful opportunity to open more eyeballs and for people to understand that we're all human and we all love what we love, love who we love, and there's no reason to be, in any way shape or form, judgmental about that,"

Other new additions to Supergirl next season include new series regular April Parker Jones, who will play hard-line career military woman Colonel Haley, who always acts in the country's best interest even if it's not her own; and recurring guest David Ajala, who will portray man-with-a-dark-past Manchester Black. He's the kind of guy who brings a knife to a gunfight and still walks away the winner. He easily deflects the brutality of his mission with his charm and sense of humor.

[smalltownguy]

July 22, 2018

CVS apologizes for pharmacist who refused to fill transgender woman's prescription

The pharmacist's actions did not reflect CVS's values or commitment to "inclusion, nondiscrimination and the delivery of outstanding patient care," the company said.

A CVS pharmacist who refused to provide a transgender woman her hormone prescription is no longer employed by the pharmacy chain, the company said Friday.

Hilde Hall said in a statement to the American Civil Liberties Union that she was excited to fill her first hormone therapy prescription after leaving her doctor's office in April, as it would allow her "to start seeing my body reflect my gender identity and the woman I've always known myself to be."

But Hall hit a roadblock when she visited the CVS in Fountain HIlls, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix, and gave the attending pharmacist the three prescriptions prescribed by her doctor, according to her statement. She said that he "refused to fill one of the prescriptions needed to affirm my identity" and "kept asking, loudly and in front of other CVS staff and customers, why I was given the prescriptions."

"Embarrassed and distressed, I nearly started crying in the middle of the store," she said in the statement. "I didn’t want to answer why I had been prescribed this hormone therapy combination by my doctor. I felt like the pharmacist was trying to out me as transgender in front of strangers."

After departing the store, Hall called the CVS customer service line twice to no avail, she said. Feeling as though she had no other options, she then filed a complaint with the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy on Thursday, according to the ACLU.

CVS responded to the situation in a statement on Friday, stating that the pharmacist was no longer employed by the chain because he had violated its company policies. "His actions did not reflect the company's values or commitment to "inclusion, nondiscrimination and the delivery of outstanding patient care," CVS said in its statement.

CVS Statement on Arizona Store Incident pic.twitter.com/OzZP84tLec

— CVS Health (@CVSHealth) July 20, 2018
"We also apologize for not appropriately following up on Ms. Hall's original complaint to CVS, which was due to an unintentional oversight, " the company added in its statement. "We pride ourselves in addressing customer concerns in a timely manner and we are taking steps to prevent this isolated occurrence from happening again."

According to the ACLU, Hall said Friday that she had spoken with a CVS representative, who also apologized on behalf of the company, and appreciated the company for taking "her experience seriously."

CVS received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index for the past four consecutive years. The index ranks companies based on their policies regarding LGBTQ equality.

[smalltownguy]

July 28, 2018

First Dublin Trans Pride March Against Opression

Organisers are expecting big crowds despite the rain

Dublin's first ever TRANS Pride March takes place today.

Dozens of organisations will gather at Liberty Hall at 2pm, before marching to Fairview Park where the first Pride protest took place 35 years ago.

Record numbers attended last month's Pride Parade in Dublin.

However the co-organiser of today's march, Thomas White, says there's a need for a separate event to deal with ongoing issues.

" Dublin Trans Pride is a specifically trans-oriented event. We felt that the trans community needs a space, a voice and platform to be able to express the needs that the community has and reflect what the demands of the community are and what the situation is currently affecting the community.

We felt that Dublin Pride itself is an extremely 'corporatised' event that doesn't reflect the needs of the community as a whole overall very well and there is an urgent need to have a space where we can organise against that discrimination."

Menawhile the Taoiseach says he'll keep the politics out of decisions regarding the healthcare of transgender people.

According to The Times, Leo Varadkar has vowed to follow the 'best most up-to-date' medical advice.

[holzz]

https://transattract.tumblr.com/post/174978105292

[smalltownguy]

30th July 2018

Transgender journalist Paris Lees signs up for Celebrity Big Brother

The transgender journalist and presenter is the latest famous face to sign on the dotted line

PARIS Lees has become the latest star to sign up for Celebrity Big Brother.

The Sun Online can exclusively reveal the transgender journalist and presenter has signed on the dotted line and is gearing up to enter the house.

A source told us: "It's a done deal. Paris has signed the contract is going to join the show."

She follows in the footsteps of other confirmed housemates including Hollywood actress Kirstie Alley, porn star Stormy Daniels, Towie's Dan Osborne and Love Island's Gabby Allen in the house.

Paris was born in the body of a man, but began identifying as female during her time at university and is now a leading transgender rights activist.

She founded the first British magazine aimed at the trans community and has been a presenter on BBC Radio 1 and Channel 4.

Paris appeared in Hollyoaks, playing herself in a guest role back in 2014.

She was also the first ever transgender panelist on Question Time in 2013 and this year she became the first openly transgender woman to feature in British Vogue.

[smalltownguy]

8th Aug 2018

US judge rules against Donald Trump’s policy restricting transgender troops

A US district judge has ruled against Donald Trump’s updated policy restricting transgender troops from serving in the military.

Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, a US district judge for the District of Columbia, has refused to allow Mr Trump’s new policy hindering transgender troops to go into effect. The judge has denied a request by the Trump administration to lift an injunction previously issued.

Mr Trump had previously announced a ban on transgender people from serving in the military in “any capacity” in July of last year. The US president published a series of tweets announcing his ban last year, writing in part: “Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail."

The Trump administration’s ban sought to reverse Barack Obama-era policy measures which allowed transgender individuals to serve in the military. Ms Kollar-Kotelly was among the federal judges who temporarily blocked Mr Trump’s ban, ruling that it was likely unconstitutional.

Earlier this year in March, Mr Trump then approved an updated policy which purported to revoke his initial absolute ban. Mr Trump’s memorandum, which adopted recommendations from Defence Secretary Jim Mattis banned “transgender persons with history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria”.

“Transgender persons with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria — individuals who the policies state may require substantial medical treatment, including medications and surgery — are disqualified from military service except under certain limited circumstance,” the memorandum read in part.

On Monday 6 August Ms Kollar-Kotelly ruled against the new policy writing it implements aspects of the original ban “by targeting proxies of transgender status, such as ‘gender dysphoria’ and ‘gender transition,’ and by requiring all service members to serve ‘in their biological sex”. The ruling followed a lawsuit filed last August by several aspiring troops and current members of the armed forces.

Top Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi had called Mr Trump’s latest memorandum “disgusting” earlier this year.

“This latest memorandum is the same cowardly, disgusting ban the President announced last summer,” she said. “The President’s hateful ban is purpose-built to humiliate our brave transgender members of the military who serve with honour and dignity.”

Joshua Block, senior staff attorney for the ACLU had called the US president's March memorandum "transphobia masquerading as policy".

[smalltownguy]

August 9 , 2018

In 2018, transgender women are running for governor, Congress and more

Much has been made of 2018 being “The Year of the Woman,” but that narrative tells only part of the story of this election cycle. In fact, the country is seeing an increase in potentially historic candidacies across many demographics, including the LGBTQ community.

Within the next four weeks, several transgender women will appear on ballots across the United States from Hawaii to Vermont. They are part of what’s being called a “rainbow wave” of LGBTQ candidates in this year’s midterms.

“This year has been especially notable in that we have more trans women running for office than at any other time in history,” said Elliot Imse of Victory Fund, which helps elect LGBTQ candidates. He pointed to the 2017 victories of Virginia Del. Danica Roem (D) and Minneapolis City Council member Andrea Jenkins (D) as helping pave the way for more transgender candidates to emerge in this cycle.

In the next week Kim Coco Iwamoto, a lawyer and advocate for the homeless, is seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor of Hawaii and in Vermont, Christine Hallquist, the former chief executive of Vermont Electric Cooperative, is vying to be the Democrats' gubernatorial nominee. And on Sept. 4, former military intelligence officer Alexandra Chandler will be seeking the Democratic nomination for the Massachusetts 3rd Congressional District. All three are embracing liberal policies as their campaign platforms, and they all face steep odds.
All of these candidates acknowledge that while their identities could make them game-changers, they say they are focused primarily on issues like climate change, health care and jobs.
“Yes, I recognize the historic significance, but that’s not really a thought,” said Hallquist, who transitioned in 2015 while serving as head of the VEC and has made her story a key part of her political narrative.

Of the three candidates, Hallquist has the best chance of advancing to the general election: Polling is scarce in that race, but she had the best name recognition of all the Democratic candidates in a VPR-Vermont PBS poll from July.

If she wins her primary, she would make history as the first openly transgender woman to be a major-party nominee for governor. But it will be tough to topple Republican incumbent Phil Scott in November; the Cook Political Report rates the race solidly Republican, and he remains more popular with Democrats than any of that party’s candidates.
Halliquist says her experience as a transgender woman encourages her to fight for women’s rights and on behalf of marginalized communities.

After her transition, “Vermont welcomed me with open arms. I can’t do enough for Vermont,” she said.
Iwamoto considers herself a democratic socialist. She was named a Harvey Milk Champion of Change by the Obama White House in 2013.

“The lieutenant governor’s office could be doing so much more for the people of Hawaii … working on the front lines of our state’s most pressing problems,” she said.

She is particularly adamant about improving education and funding for public schools and solving the state’s homelessness and housing affordability issues.


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The Fix Analysis
In 2018, transgender women are running for governor, Congress and more

Christine Hallquist is running for governor of Vermont. (Courtesy Christine for Vermont)
By Kayla Epstein
August 9
Email the author
Much has been made of 2018 being “The Year of the Woman,” but that narrative tells only part of the story of this election cycle. In fact, the country is seeing an increase in potentially historic candidacies across many demographics, including the LGBTQ community.

Within the next four weeks, several transgender women will appear on ballots across the United States from Hawaii to Vermont. They are part of what’s being called a “rainbow wave” of LGBTQ candidates in this year’s midterms.

“This year has been especially notable in that we have more trans women running for office than at any other time in history,” said Elliot Imse of Victory Fund, which helps elect LGBTQ candidates. He pointed to the 2017 victories of Virginia Del. Danica Roem (D) and Minneapolis City Council member Andrea Jenkins (D) as helping pave the way for more transgender candidates to emerge in this cycle.

In the next week Kim Coco Iwamoto, a lawyer and advocate for the homeless, is seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor of Hawaii and in Vermont, Christine Hallquist, the former chief executive of Vermont Electric Cooperative, is vying to be the Democrats' gubernatorial nominee. And on Sept. 4, former military intelligence officer Alexandra Chandler will be seeking the Democratic nomination for the Massachusetts 3rd Congressional District. All three are embracing liberal policies as their campaign platforms, and they all face steep odds.

[Database: These women have won their primaries. Will they be elected in November?]

All of these candidates acknowledge that while their identities could make them game-changers, they say they are focused primarily on issues like climate change, health care and jobs.


“Yes, I recognize the historic significance, but that’s not really a thought,” said Hallquist, who transitioned in 2015 while serving as head of the VEC and has made her story a key part of her political narrative.

Of the three candidates, Hallquist has the best chance of advancing to the general election: Polling is scarce in that race, but she had the best name recognition of all the Democratic candidates in a VPR-Vermont PBS poll from July.

If she wins her primary, she would make history as the first openly transgender woman to be a major-party nominee for governor. But it will be tough to topple Republican incumbent Phil Scott in November; the Cook Political Report rates the race solidly Republican, and he remains more popular with Democrats than any of that party’s candidates.


Halliquist says her experience as a transgender woman encourages her to fight for women’s rights and on behalf of marginalized communities.

After her transition, “Vermont welcomed me with open arms. I can’t do enough for Vermont,” she said.


Kim Coco Iwamoto, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor of Hawaii, casts her ballot with her daughter, Rory, during early voting Monday in Honolulu. (Jim McCoy/Iwamoto campaign)
Iwamoto considers herself a democratic socialist. She was named a Harvey Milk Champion of Change by the Obama White House in 2013.

“The lieutenant governor’s office could be doing so much more for the people of Hawaii … working on the front lines of our state’s most pressing problems,” she said.

She is particularly adamant about improving education and funding for public schools and solving the state’s homelessness and housing affordability issues.


She says that during her time on the state board of education, her identity wasn’t the focus of media attention and that internal campaign polling of Democratic voters found that a clear majority would be open to voting for a transgender candidate.

“The white, hetero, cis-gendered patriarchy is not as deeply entrenched as it is on the continent,” Iwamoto said. “Hawaii has always had a place in society for mahu [individuals who embody both the male and female spirit that have often occupied important places in Native Hawaiian society]. We are an integral part of our families and communities. Many of us who grew up in Hawaii do not see our personal identities as limitations.”

A July poll showed that rival Josh Green is currently leading the pack in the Democratic primary with the support of 34 percent of listed voters; Iwamoto stands at 10 percent.


The Washington Post
Democracy Dies in Darkness
Try 1 month for $1
Sign In
Newsletters & Alerts
Gift Subscriptions
Contact Us
Help Desk
The Fix Analysis
In 2018, transgender women are running for governor, Congress and more

Christine Hallquist is running for governor of Vermont. (Courtesy Christine for Vermont)
By Kayla Epstein
August 9
Email the author
Much has been made of 2018 being “The Year of the Woman,” but that narrative tells only part of the story of this election cycle. In fact, the country is seeing an increase in potentially historic candidacies across many demographics, including the LGBTQ community.

Within the next four weeks, several transgender women will appear on ballots across the United States from Hawaii to Vermont. They are part of what’s being called a “rainbow wave” of LGBTQ candidates in this year’s midterms.

“This year has been especially notable in that we have more trans women running for office than at any other time in history,” said Elliot Imse of Victory Fund, which helps elect LGBTQ candidates. He pointed to the 2017 victories of Virginia Del. Danica Roem (D) and Minneapolis City Council member Andrea Jenkins (D) as helping pave the way for more transgender candidates to emerge in this cycle.

In the next week Kim Coco Iwamoto, a lawyer and advocate for the homeless, is seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor of Hawaii and in Vermont, Christine Hallquist, the former chief executive of Vermont Electric Cooperative, is vying to be the Democrats' gubernatorial nominee. And on Sept. 4, former military intelligence officer Alexandra Chandler will be seeking the Democratic nomination for the Massachusetts 3rd Congressional District. All three are embracing liberal policies as their campaign platforms, and they all face steep odds.

[Database: These women have won their primaries. Will they be elected in November?]

All of these candidates acknowledge that while their identities could make them game-changers, they say they are focused primarily on issues like climate change, health care and jobs.


“Yes, I recognize the historic significance, but that’s not really a thought,” said Hallquist, who transitioned in 2015 while serving as head of the VEC and has made her story a key part of her political narrative.

Of the three candidates, Hallquist has the best chance of advancing to the general election: Polling is scarce in that race, but she had the best name recognition of all the Democratic candidates in a VPR-Vermont PBS poll from July.

If she wins her primary, she would make history as the first openly transgender woman to be a major-party nominee for governor. But it will be tough to topple Republican incumbent Phil Scott in November; the Cook Political Report rates the race solidly Republican, and he remains more popular with Democrats than any of that party’s candidates.


Halliquist says her experience as a transgender woman encourages her to fight for women’s rights and on behalf of marginalized communities.

After her transition, “Vermont welcomed me with open arms. I can’t do enough for Vermont,” she said.


Kim Coco Iwamoto, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor of Hawaii, casts her ballot with her daughter, Rory, during early voting Monday in Honolulu. (Jim McCoy/Iwamoto campaign)
Iwamoto considers herself a democratic socialist. She was named a Harvey Milk Champion of Change by the Obama White House in 2013.

“The lieutenant governor’s office could be doing so much more for the people of Hawaii … working on the front lines of our state’s most pressing problems,” she said.

She is particularly adamant about improving education and funding for public schools and solving the state’s homelessness and housing affordability issues.


She says that during her time on the state board of education, her identity wasn’t the focus of media attention and that internal campaign polling of Democratic voters found that a clear majority would be open to voting for a transgender candidate.

“The white, hetero, cis-gendered patriarchy is not as deeply entrenched as it is on the continent,” Iwamoto said. “Hawaii has always had a place in society for mahu [individuals who embody both the male and female spirit that have often occupied important places in Native Hawaiian society]. We are an integral part of our families and communities. Many of us who grew up in Hawaii do not see our personal identities as limitations.”

A July poll showed that rival Josh Green is currently leading the pack in the Democratic primary with the support of 34 percent of listed voters; Iwamoto stands at 10 percent.


In Massachusetts, the retirement of Rep. Niki Tsongas (D) provided an opening for other Democrats. With urging from friends, political acquaintances and her wife, Chandler decided to run.

“I felt Congress needs the specific expertise that I have to offer and the specific skill set working under different administrations,” she said. Chandler served in the Office of Naval Intelligence for 12 years and wants to use that experience to affect foreign policy in Congress.

On the campaign trail, she says her identity as a transgender woman “amplifies and validates part of the pitch I make to voters,” she said. “What I tell voters is: I’m tough. I’ve had to stand up for myself. I had to keep working after Trump tweeted the trans military ban.”

Chandler's Democratic primary field is a crowded one, and an April poll showed that former ambassador Rufus Gifford led the pack, though the majority of voters hadn't made up their minds at the time. Gifford has raised $1.3 million, according to the latest Federal Election Commission data, while Chandler has raised a little over $108,000.

In addition to these three candidates, several other transgender women will be up for election. South Carolina's primary for a state senate special election will see activist Dayna Smith on the August 14 ballot. Melissa Sklarz is running for state assembly in New York and has a primary on Sept. 13. Several others have already secured their places on the Nov. 6 ballots: Amelia Marquez is running for the Montana House of Representatives, Brianna Titone is running for the Colorado House of Representatives, and Danielle Skidmore is running for Austin City Council.

While Imse, of Victory Fund, said transphobia, sexism and, for transgender women of color, racism remain obstacles, he noted that being open with voters would ultimately help campaigns.

“Because they are running as openly trans, voters can ask about the issues that they’re most concerned with. Perhaps some people will never vote for them,” he said. “But being honest and forthright lends authenticity to these candidates, and authenticity is clearly something missing from our politics right now.”

[Bashtranny]

Yes like it

[smalltownguy]

UPDATE AND CORRECTION TO " August 9 , 2018 - In 2018, transgender women are running for governor, Congress and more "

August 9th ,2018

In 2018, transgender women are running for governor, Congress and more

Much has been made of 2018 being “The Year of the Woman,” but that narrative tells only part of the story of this election cycle. In fact, the country is seeing an increase in potentially historic candidacies across many demographics, including the LGBTQ community.

Within the next four weeks, several transgender women will appear on ballots across the United States from Hawaii to Vermont. They are part of what’s being called a “rainbow wave” of LGBTQ candidates in this year’s midterms.

“This year has been especially notable in that we have more trans women running for office than at any other time in history,” said Elliot Imse of Victory Fund, which helps elect LGBTQ candidates. He pointed to the 2017 victories of Virginia Del. Danica Roem (D) and Minneapolis City Council member Andrea Jenkins (D) as helping pave the way for more transgender candidates to emerge in this cycle.

In the next week Kim Coco Iwamoto, a lawyer and advocate for the homeless, is seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor of Hawaii and in Vermont, Christine Hallquist, the former chief executive of Vermont Electric Cooperative, is vying to be the Democrats' gubernatorial nominee. And on Sept. 4, former military intelligence officer Alexandra Chandler will be seeking the Democratic nomination for the Massachusetts 3rd Congressional District. All three are embracing liberal policies as their campaign platforms, and they all face steep odds.

All of these candidates acknowledge that while their identities could make them game-changers, they say they are focused primarily on issues like climate change, health care and jobs.

“Yes, I recognize the historic significance, but that’s not really a thought,” said Hallquist, who transitioned in 2015 while serving as head of the VEC and has made her story a key part of her political narrative.

Of the three candidates, Hallquist has the best chance of advancing to the general election: Polling is scarce in that race, but she had the best name recognition of all the Democratic candidates in a VPR-Vermont PBS poll from July.

If she wins her primary, she would make history as the first openly transgender woman to be a major-party nominee for governor. But it will be tough to topple Republican incumbent Phil Scott in November; the Cook Political Report rates the race solidly Republican, and he remains more popular with Democrats than any of that party’s candidates.

Halliquist says her experience as a transgender woman encourages her to fight for women’s rights and on behalf of marginalized communities.

After her transition, “Vermont welcomed me with open arms. I can’t do enough for Vermont,” she said.

Iwamoto considers herself a democratic socialist. She was named a Harvey Milk Champion of Change by the Obama White House in 2013.

“The lieutenant governor’s office could be doing so much more for the people of Hawaii … working on the front lines of our state’s most pressing problems,” she said.

She is particularly adamant about improving education and funding for public schools and solving the state’s homelessness and housing affordability issues.

She says that during her time on the state board of education, her identity wasn’t the focus of media attention and that internal campaign polling of Democratic voters found that a clear majority would be open to voting for a transgender candidate.

“The white, hetero, cis-gendered patriarchy is not as deeply entrenched as it is on the continent,” Iwamoto said. “Hawaii has always had a place in society for mahu [individuals who embody both the male and female spirit that have often occupied important places in Native Hawaiian society]. We are an integral part of our families and communities. Many of us who grew up in Hawaii do not see our personal identities as limitations.”

A July poll showed that rival Josh Green is currently leading the pack in the Democratic primary with the support of 34 percent of listed voters; Iwamoto stands at 10 percent.

In Massachusetts, the retirement of Rep. Niki Tsongas (D) provided an opening for other Democrats. With urging from friends, political acquaintances and her wife, Chandler decided to run.

“I felt Congress needs the specific expertise that I have to offer and the specific skill set working under different administrations,” she said. Chandler served in the Office of Naval Intelligence for 12 years and wants to use that experience to affect foreign policy in Congress.

On the campaign trail, she says her identity as a transgender woman “amplifies and validates part of the pitch I make to voters,” she said. “What I tell voters is: I’m tough. I’ve had to stand up for myself. I had to keep working after Trump tweeted the trans military ban.”

Chandler's Democratic primary field is a crowded one, and an April poll showed that former ambassador Rufus Gifford led the pack, though the majority of voters hadn't made up their minds at the time. Gifford has raised $1.3 million, according to the latest Federal Election Commission data, while Chandler has raised a little over $108,000.

In addition to these three candidates, several other transgender women will be up for election. South Carolina's primary for a state senate special election will see activist Dayna Smith on the August 14 ballot. Melissa Sklarz is running for state assembly in New York and has a primary on Sept. 13. Several others have already secured their places on the Nov. 6 ballots: Amelia Marquez is running for the Montana House of Representatives, Brianna Titone is running for the Colorado House of Representatives, and Danielle Skidmore is running for Austin City Council.

While Imse, of Victory Fund, said transphobia, sexism and, for transgender women of color, racism remain obstacles, he noted that being open with voters would ultimately help campaigns.

“Because they are running as openly trans, voters can ask about the issues that they’re most concerned with. Perhaps some people will never vote for them,” he said. “But being honest and forthright lends authenticity to these candidates, and authenticity is clearly something missing from our politics right now.”