America’s newest trans lawmaker shares beautiful post-election moment with mum of trans kid
Montana state representative Zooey Zephyr with the mother she met. (Zooey Zephyr)
Zooey Zephyr has joined the US election history-makers and become Montana’s first out trans representative-elect – and she’s already bringing hope to others.
Zephyr won the election for Montana’s 100th state house district, becoming the first out trans person elected to the state legislature in history.
After her victory was declared, Zephyr shared a heartwarming encounter on Twitter proving why trans visibility is so important.
“As I was getting off the plane last night, a stewardess asked what I was so excited about. I told her I’d won my election and was the first trans woman elected in Montana,” Zephyr said.
“She immediately teared up. ‘My son is trans,’ she said, and began to tell me about all the joys/fears that had come with his transition.”
Zephyr said the woman explained how her son is “happier and healthier” following his transition, and she even shared photos of the pair “beaming with joy” after the chance meeting.
“She also talked about how scary the world was, but how this moment gave her hope. Then we took a selfie and cried.
“This is why we’ll win the fight for trans rights. Because we’re not a concept to be debated. We’re your family, your neighbors, your colleagues, and more.
“And if you don’t think you know us, rest assured — even 30,000′ in the sky — you’re never far from someone who cares about us.”
https://twitter.com/ZoAndBehold/status/1590467958597619712
Mayor Annise Parker, president and CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, called Zooey Zephyr’s win “resounding” for Montana and trans people across the US.
“From tackling the housing crisis to securing affordable health care, Zooey is ready to enact policy founded in equity and fairness,” Parker said.
“Montana, like so many other communities, has seen a deluge of transphobia and bigotry this year.
“Zooey courageously ran despite this divisiveness and her win is a deafening rebuke to hate. We are confident she will be a skilled, powerful legislator and an inspiration for trans people across the country.”
Montana state representative Zooey Zephyr. (Zooey Zephyr/Twitter)
The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund – a US political action committee – works to increase the number of openly LGBTQ+ public officials in the country.
According to the LGBTQ Victory Institute, there are currently only eight trans state legislators in the US, while the state of Montana has just six out LGBTQ+ elected officials.
So far, the US midterm elections have proved a powerful moment for LGBTQ+ representation, with Leigh Finke becoming the first ever trans Minnesota representative, and James Roesener becoming the first out trans man elected in New Hampshire.
This year, LGBTQ+ candidates ran in every one of the 50 states, and in Washington DC, the first time this has happened.
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