Taylor Small to Be First Trans Person Elected to the Vermont State Legislature
By LGBTQ Victory Fund | Posted: Aug 12, 2020
Small the latest in a string of primary victories for trans candidates
Washington, DC – Today LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed candidate Taylor Small won her primary for a Vermont state House seat and will almost certainly become the first out trans person ever elected to the Vermont state legislature. She currently has no general election opponent. The victory in Vermont is the latest in a string of primary victories for non-incumbent trans state legislative candidates, including Stephanie Byers in Kansas, Madeline Eden in Texas and Jessica Katzenmeyer in Wisconsin. Sarah McBride, whose primary is next month, will become the first out trans state senator in U.S. history if she wins in Delaware.
Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, released the following statement about Small’s victory:
“Taylor shattered a lavender ceiling in Vermont, but her victory is more than just a milestone in our movement for equality. It is part of a transformative moment in U.S. political history, with trans candidates breaking new ground in red states and blue states and at an unprecedented pace. In 2020 alone, we can double the number of trans state legislators in the country to eight, a remarkable opportunity given the first out trans state legislator was elected less than three years ago. While trans people remain severely underrepresented in elected office, Taylor and others are building the political power we need to defeat anti-trans legislation and change hearts and minds.”
Only four out trans people have been elected to serve in state legislatures and all still hold their seats. Virginia Delegate Danica Roem became the first out trans person to win and serve in a state legislature when she was elected in 2017. Currently there are just 28 out trans people serving at any level of government in the United States.
