First transgender person elected in Virginia

[Jenntrans]

I agree. The polarization is the biggest issue...

Yeah why should we be left or right? Aren't we all just center more or less?

Look we should not be polarized as a society or a people or by politics. I may not agree with you and you may not agree with me but can't we talk about it over a beer or some wine or whatever without wanting to kill one another?

Look the left don't care for nothing but your vote, the right don't care anything but my vote and that is all both only care about. Other than that either one could care less.

So just maybe it is time we made the government work for us as the People. Most people support gay marriage and most support trans in the military. So maybe call your representative and request they support trans in the Military. The US is a Republic and not a Democracy. The Senate represents the States they Represent and the Representatives represent the people of the United States.

[AnonyMs]

Posted by Bob Marshall's sister

"That was my brother who lost his seat in the House of Delegates race in Va. He wouldn't debate her, he wouldn't call her "her" or "she". Maybe if he weren't so judgmental and homophobic, he could have lost with dignity. I'm not happy my brother lost his job, but all I can say is, karma brother."

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/928229493340127233

[sarah1972]

Unfortunately... to good to be true. Bob Marshall is in his 70's, the person on the profile picture is maximum mid 20's...

Posted by Bob Marshall's sister

"That was my brother who lost his seat in the House of Delegates race in Va. He wouldn't debate her, he wouldn't call her "her" or "she". Maybe if he weren't so judgmental and homophobic, he could have lost with dignity. I'm not happy my brother lost his job, but all I can say is, karma brother."

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/928229493340127233

[Julie Marie]

Don't forget me, Stephe Koontz. I won as an openly trans candidate in GA yesterday.

https://www.hrc.org/blog/meet-the-transgender-americans-who-won-on-election-day

Congratulations, Stephe!  Somehow even DemocracyNow! missed these wins.

While this was an important win, I'm not going to hoot and holler as if we've actually slayed Goliath.  But I think it's important to note that getting out to vote makes a difference.  The worst thing anyone of us can do is say, "I'm only one vote."  I used to think that.  But our vote is our most powerful weapon.

VOTE!  VOTE!  VOTE!   

[Stephe]

Yes it is a good thing she was elected but does she really want the attention or to just do her job?

Tell this to the 100+ parents of trans kids who have contacted me, telling me that my being elected to public office has given their kids hope for a real future. That I'm now their positive role model. Please point to a single stealth trans person they can look up to as a role model, oh wait you can't because no one knows who they are.

No one is doing this for the attention. I'm doing these interviews etc. because I'm not ashamed of being transgender. Us being openly trans and standing up for what is right, will likely keep hundreds of trans kids from ever thinking that suicide is their only option. This spotlight isn't going to last long. Soon all of us will be digging into the hard work we ran for office to do. But if I can give some young trans kids some hope for their future before I am sworn in, well that's just icing on the cake.

So please get off your stealth soapbox trying to claim she is just an attention grabber. And I'm not gonna go too deep into the whole "log cabin republican" thing other than: Yes I am a fiscal conservative, but supporting a party that actively attacks my right to exist as a human being is never going to happen.

Honestly posts like this are why I rarely come to this site anymore.

[Paige]

Unfortunately... to good to be true. Bob Marshall is in his 70's, the person on the profile picture is maximum mid 20's...

Hmmm..

According to Wikipedia she is but their reference for this is a little obscure.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marshall_(Virginia_politician)

Paula Marshall isn't in her 20s according to Wikipedia she's 53.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paula_Marshall

Not sure.

[Tommie_9]

Don't forget me, Stephe Koontz. I won as an openly trans candidate in GA yesterday.

https://www.hrc.org/blog/meet-the-transgender-americans-who-won-on-election-day

Way to go!!! I saw that you won on CNN when they reported all the openly transgender winners. As conservative as your state is, that's amazing. So proud of you and all the other brave candidates!

[Jenntrans]

Tell this to the 100+ parents of trans kids who have contacted me, telling me that my being elected to public office has given their kids hope for a real future. That I'm now their positive role model. Please point to a single stealth trans person they can look up to as a role model, oh wait you can't because no one knows who they are.

No one is doing this for the attention. I'm doing these interviews etc. because I'm not ashamed of being transgender. Us being openly trans and standing up for what is right, will likely keep hundreds of trans kids from ever thinking that suicide is their only option. This spotlight isn't going to last long. Soon all of us will be digging into the hard work we ran for office to do. But if I can give some young trans kids some hope for their future before I am sworn in, well that's just icing on the cake.

So please get off your stealth soapbox trying to claim she is just an attention grabber. And I'm not gonna go too deep into the whole "log cabin republican" thing other than: Yes I am a fiscal conservative, but supporting a party that actively attacks my right to exist as a human being is never going to happen.

Honestly posts like this are why I rarely come to this site anymore.

No I think you took my post wrong. I am not stealth. When I vote for someone I want them to do what I voted them in for. That is all, no more and no less.

Hey I love seeing a trans woman voted into office and yes it give a lot of hope to other trans people especially those younger than we are. Damn! Great hope even.

What I was trying to say is that when you are voted in office you represent everyone. You may even represent those that hate us too. It is really hard not to have an agenda but you really can't because you have to be the voice of everyone in your constituency.

God Bless you Stephe for being open, I am too and not stealth, and God Help you to make the right decisions for everyone of your constituents. But politics is like this you will never ever make everyone happy.

God Bless you because you do give hope to younger trans that aspire. But you still have to do your job for everyone without any agendas against anyone. Sometimes that sux. Protecting the rights of someone than know outwardly hates you?

But congrats and the election isn't really the hard part though. But thank you.

I am so sorry if you took my post the wrong way.

[sarah1972]

Ha.. her Facebook picture looked like she is in her 20's. WOW. If I could look like her at 53... Seems like I was wrong...

Hmmm..

According to Wikipedia she is but their reference for this is a little obscure.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Marshall_(Virginia_politician)

Paula Marshall isn't in her 20s according to Wikipedia she's 53.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paula_Marshall

Not sure.

[Michelle_P]

Tell this to the 100+ parents of trans kids who have contacted me, telling me that my being elected to public office has given their kids hope for a real future. That I'm now their positive role model. Please point to a single stealth trans person they can look up to as a role model, oh wait you can't because no one knows who they are.

No one is doing this for the attention. I'm doing these interviews etc. because I'm not ashamed of being transgender. Us being openly trans and standing up for what is right, will likely keep hundreds of trans kids from ever thinking that suicide is their only option.

Thank you, Stephe!

I was one of those suicidal kids back in the late 1960s.    I revisited that state in early 2016.   NEVER AGAIN!

This is why I won't go stealth, even if I managed to pass.  I don't want anyone to go through what I went through, likely what many of us older folks went through.  I want to see them recognize that they can live their authentic lives.  I want to make the world a safer place for them. 

Our being openly trans, outspoken, and living as our authentic selves peacefully, joyously, sends a far bigger message to the youth of today than any flyer or handout, or even (horrors!) mention of our existence in what passes for 'sex ed' in most schools.

I've found an accepting community, and want to pay their graciousness forward for the next generations.

(Yes, I'm prepping for another public panel discussion this weekend.  Probably shows...)



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[Gertrude]

Is it really a left or right thing? I mean I am right and I am trans. Neither the left or right owns me.

Does anyone really know how many LGBT that are right instead of left? I do and there are more on the right if they are more Libertarian than Republican.

I am a Log Cabin Republican. Yes we are a real thing and more Libertarian than anything.

But this is my big question to make others think. Why should we choose or have to choose sides? The two dominate parties tell us what we want to hear and tell us we should vote for them. Well I own a business that is somewhat successful, I pay taxes and have employees in which I can't afford health insurance for them anymore. Before anyone says ->-bleeped-<-, I live in a mobile home but have seven trucks that provide a living for me. So no I don't have a McMansion and have Gardeners or whatever else. I mow my own grass. LOL That could go both ways or meanings.

This is the deal with me. I don't want to be called out. I want to be just another woman even though I am not. But I would want the media to portray me that way, just another woman politician. I am trans so what is the big deal? Why should it be to the media? All I really want is to be me without all the "hoopla and fan fare".

Yes it is a good thing she was elected but does she really want the attention or to just do her job?

There seems to be an unspoken and underlying expectation that we're progressive democrats that read the same talking points and sing from the same hymnal. In some circles, you will face ostracism and derision if you don't. I've even gone a step beyond. I'm heterodox in my beliefs and don't belong to any party. Reason is my highest virtue. When the truth becomes the enemy, it's time to leave.


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[Jenntrans]

There seems to be an unspoken and underlying expectation that we're progressive democrats that read the same talking points and sing from the same hymnal. In some circles, you will face ostracism and derision if you don't. I've even gone a step beyond. I'm heterodox in my beliefs and don't belong to any party. Reason is my highest virtue. When the truth becomes the enemy, it's time to leave.


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Yes Trudy. When we let something define us then we lose our individualism. I am not trans or cis or black or white or anything else other than and individual. I am me and that means I am individual aside from politics, color of skin, how I grew up and whatever else. I am not a victim of society nor ever will be. I am just me. Nothing more nor anything less. I am a somewhat pretty trans woman that has always somewhat passed and prettier than some cis women. But Jesus Christ what trans woman is not prettier than some cis women? Also Jesus Christ... A lot of cis men even want a feminine woman and we got it going on in that aspect at least.

Yes I know my answer did not make any sense but just think about it. Masculine men want Feminine women and.... Well we answer that call for the most part. Jesus Christ I am a transbian and I love trans women and cis women but I cut it off when the cis women are too masculine in thinking. That is the reason I got divorced. But she was a bitch too and trans phobic but hey, I won't judge her.

None of this makes any sense but know who you are and what you want.

But no political party owns us. No group owns us. No Ideals own us. We are our own people. W e are all different and have different views. We are unique and that is special so... The only difference is that we are trans. Is that really a difference or do most people feel a small or bigger part of it? That is a really deep question. One in which most can't even face because it is too scary to ask. But we do this everyday asking ourselves, "Who are you?".

Truly it is not about beliefs or party but who you are in truth to yourself.

[Gertrude]

Yes Trudy. When we let something define us then we lose our individualism. I am not trans or cis or black or white or anything else other than and individual. I am me and that means I am individual aside from politics, color of skin, how I grew up and whatever else. I am not a victim of society nor ever will be. I am just me. Nothing more nor anything less. I am a somewhat pretty trans woman that has always somewhat passed and prettier than some cis women. But Jesus Christ what trans woman is not prettier than some cis women? Also Jesus Christ... A lot of cis men even want a feminine woman and we got it going on in that aspect at least.

Yes I know my answer did not make any sense but just think about it. Masculine men want Feminine women and.... Well we answer that call for the most part. Jesus Christ I am a transbian and I love trans women and cis women but I cut it off when the cis women are too masculine in thinking. That is the reason I got divorced. But she was a bitch too and trans phobic but hey, I won't judge her.

None of this makes any sense but know who you are and what you want.

But no political party owns us. No group owns us. No Ideals own us. We are our own people. W e are all different and have different views. We are unique and that is special so... The only difference is that we are trans. Is that really a difference or do most people feel a small or bigger part of it? That is a really deep question. One in which most can't even face because it is too scary to ask. But we do this everyday asking ourselves, "Who are you?".

Truly it is not about beliefs or party but who you are in truth to yourself.

We're not owned as long as we keep our individuality and dignity. Many trade that and more in order to believe/feel that they belong and safe. Tribal thinking as such has been with us for a long time and while in the context of most of our existence it has been a benefit, there are times it's the root of the worst of our problems. The idea of other and musterbation comes to mind. The rules of acceptance are poisonous too. My therapist says that if we taught everyone when they get to the third grade that no one is responsible for our feelings but ourselves, the world would be a better place. Maybe so, but the tribal nonsense is killing us.


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[Jenntrans]

We're not owned as long as we keep our individuality and dignity. Many trade that and more in order to believe/feel that they belong and safe. Tribal thinking as such has been with us for a long time and while in the context of most of our existence it has been a benefit, there are times it's the root of the worst of our problems. The idea of other and musterbation comes to mind. The rules of acceptance are poisonous too. My therapist says that if we taught everyone when they get to the third grade that no one is responsible for our feelings but ourselves, the world would be a better place. Maybe so, but the tribal nonsense is killing us.

Yes we all need to be responsible for ourselves. We can't teach anyone ->-bleeped-<-, they have to learn on their own. there is so much about individualism though out human history. Buddha, Jesus Christ. Mohammad in Islam, a White Buffalo in Native American cultures and so on. The point being is that all were one of a kinds. But a few of their lessons have been drowned out. They were and always will be different and individuals aside from the masses. Is that not a lesson it itself. One major lesson my lead to a lesser lesson. Jesus Christ, Mohammad, the First Buddha and the White Buffalo may have been special but one of a kind is just as special as being an individual and so on. The only thing that we truly own is our own individualism and that is special for everyone. So don't be part of the herd.


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[Stephe]

No I think you took my post wrong.

You were questioning is she was just doing this for the attention. I don't think I took that wrong. I know I ran because I felt I could do this job well and move our city forward. I had no idea I would end up being slashed all over the national media or that I was about to make history here in GA. BUT I sure don't see anything wrong with being a role model for trans youth for one news cycle. By the time I am sworn in, this will all be forgotten, and it will be time to work on affordable housing solutions and fixing pot holes.

[Gertrude]

You were questioning is she was just doing this for the attention. I don't think I took that wrong. I know I ran because I felt I could do this job well and move our city forward. I had no idea I would end up being slashed all over the national media or that I was about to make history here in GA. BUT I sure don't see anything wrong with being a role model for trans youth for one news cycle. By the time I am sworn in, this will all be forgotten, and it will be time to work on affordable housing solutions and fixing pot holes.

Kudos to anyone that is authentic in that culture let alone run for office. I just think some of us are motivated to make a difference and being authentic may promote that. More power to her and maybe it'll change a few hearts.


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[Sarah_P]

You were questioning is she was just doing this for the attention. I don't think I took that wrong. I know I ran because I felt I could do this job well and move our city forward. I had no idea I would end up being slashed all over the national media or that I was about to make history here in GA. BUT I sure don't see anything wrong with being a role model for trans youth for one news cycle. By the time I am sworn in, this will all be forgotten, and it will be time to work on affordable housing solutions and fixing pot holes.

Well said. Georgia is lucky to have you!

[Paige]

You were questioning is she was just doing this for the attention. I don't think I took that wrong. I know I ran because I felt I could do this job well and move our city forward. I had no idea I would end up being slashed all over the national media or that I was about to make history here in GA. BUT I sure don't see anything wrong with being a role model for trans youth for one news cycle. By the time I am sworn in, this will all be forgotten, and it will be time to work on affordable housing solutions and fixing pot holes.

Stephe, you are absolutely amazing and a great role model for all.  I wish I had a tenth of your courage. 

Good luck with the new job. 😊
Paige 😊

[Jenntrans]

You were questioning is she was just doing this for the attention. I don't think I took that wrong. I know I ran because I felt I could do this job well and move our city forward. I had no idea I would end up being slashed all over the national media or that I was about to make history here in GA. BUT I sure don't see anything wrong with being a role model for trans youth for one news cycle. By the time I am sworn in, this will all be forgotten, and it will be time to work on affordable housing solutions and fixing pot holes.

Hey. If you are doing this for all of your constituents and even those that did not vote for you or even hate you to make their lives better than good. Do the best job for everyone in your district and not just those that think you are a hero either even if they loathe you for being trans. My point was that we exist and it is refreshing to see a candidate get voted into office that is trans.

Seriously Stephe we are nothing more than people. No more nor anything less. You can do the job Trans or Cis. Hell if you run for President I may even vote for you. The first transgender POTUS? That would be good but I may not depending on if you agree with my views or not either. Yes I am trans but I vote according to my business, what I like to do, my BF's job and how he is perceived and so on.

But you truly are a role model to younger trans that they can achieve openly being who they are and that is truly important. In other words you are telling them they can be and achieve there goals and God Bless you and God Speed in your Office.

[RobynD]

This election has been very encouraging. Now they go off to serve the people