UPDATE: Gray nominates two transgender women to Human Rights Commission

[Shana A]

Gray nominates two transgender women to Human Rights Commission

By Lou Chibbaro Jr. on April 30, 2012

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/04/30/gray-nominates-two-transgender-women-to-human-rights-commission/

Mayor Vincent Gray has nominated transgender activists Earline Budd and Alexandra Beninda for seats on the D.C. Commission on Human Rights.

If the two are confirmed by the City Council, as expected, they would become the first transgender persons to serve on the 15-member commission, which rules on discrimination complaints brought under the comprehensive D.C. Human Rights Act.

[...]

"To be getting one transgender person on the commission would be great, but to be getting two is fantastic," said Beninda, a systems analyst for a software company and member and former treasurer of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, the city's largest LGBT political group.

"I'm really excited and looking forward to serving," said Budd while attending Saturday's LGBT Youth Pride festival in Dupont Circle. "This is important for the entire community."

[Shana A]

D.C. Council approves nomination of transgender women to Human Rights Commission

By Michael K. Lavers on June 5, 2012

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/06/05/d-c-council-approves-nomination-of-transgender-women-to-human-rights-commission/

The D.C. Council on Tuesday approved the nomination of transgender activists Earline Budd and Alexandra Beninda to the D.C. Commission on Human Rights.

"I am very pleased," said Budd upon learning that the Council had approved her nomination. "I'm going to do all I can to do what the community expects of me, which is keeping my eyes open and making sure the rights of everybody are protected."

Gray nominated Budd and Beninda in April to sit on the 15-member body that rules on discrimination complaints filed under the D.C. Human Rights Act. They are the first trans Washingtonians ever on the commission.