Gay incumbent fends off transgender challenger for Montgomery Co. state senate s

[suzifrommd]

Gay incumbent fends off transgender challenger for Montgomery Co. state senate seat

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2014/06/gay-incumbent-fends-off-transgender-challenger-for-montgomery-co-state-senate-seat-104472.html

June 25, 2014

Openly gay state Sen. Richard Madaleno successfully fended off a challenge by openly transgender candidate Dana Beyer, according to election returns early Wednesday.

Madaleno was the first gay elected official to serve in the state's senate, and Beyer - had she won - would've been Maryland's first transgender state senator.

[suzifrommd]

I don't think this is an awful thing. Sen. Madaleno has been very supportive of the transgender population in our state, and put a lot of effort into getting our anti-discrimination law passed this year.

Dr. Beyer, while looked up to as an intelligent and successful member of our community, has been a controversial figure lately. I've come across quite a number of trans voters who said they were supporting Madaleno over Beyer.

I'm thrilled that Dr. Beyer got her day in the sun. Every time the public sees us as other than entertainers or extras on a crime show, that's a good thing. A successful transgender surgeon and scientist in the public eye can only be a positive.