Taylor Small, tireless LGBT+ champion and sickening drag queen, makes history as her state’s first trans lawmaker
Taylor Small and her drag alter ego, Nikki Champagne. (Facebook/Instagram)
Taylor Small has just made history as the first ever out trans person to be elected to the Vermont state legislature, and has become the fifth trans state legislator in the whole of the US.
Small, who currently works as the director of the health and wellness programme at Pride Center of Vermont, has experience working in mental health services as well as supporting LGBT+ and homeless youth.
According to her campaign website: “My activism has taken many shapes and forms over the years, but the most notable is my drag persona, Nikki Champagne.
“Alongside my business partner, Emoji Nightmare, I have had the opportunity to provide Drag Queen Story Hours across the state promoting local libraries and youth literacy, host fundraisers to help support Vermont’s non-profit organizations, and create safer spaces for LGBTQ+ community members to come together.
“I believe that through visibility, education, and love, we can create a more compassionate state.”
History made! Vermont has elected its first openly transgender state legislator, our Spotlight Candidate @TaylorSmallVT. pic.twitter.com/WqdpnhltUu— LGBTQ+ Victory Fund (@VictoryFund) November 4, 2020
Small, 26, whose campaign included a focus on affordable, accessible healthcare and housing, setting a liveable minimum wage, the environment and defunding and reforming law enforcement, ran as both a Democrat and a progressive.
With 41 per cent of the vote, she will represent district Chittenden 6-7 alongside Hal Colston.
5th trans legislator in the nation! @VictoryFund #vtpoli— Rep. Taylor Small (@TaylorSmallVT) November 4, 2020
Mayor Annise Parker, the president and CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund, said in a statement: “The impact of Taylor’s groundbreaking victory cannot be overstated.
“There are so few transgender people in elected office that nearly every win is a historic one, yet with each barrier broken comes more trans people inspired to do the same.”
“Even pro-equality states like Vermont need trans voices in government to ensure the priorities and concerns of the community are heard.
“Taylor will bring that perspective to the state House and Vermont can be a leader on trans equality because of it.”
