James Roesener, who identifies as a man, holds the highest elected office of any transgender person who identifies as a man.
QUICK FACTS:
- James Roesener is the first biological woman who openly identifies as a man to be elected to a state legislature, according to the political action committee LGBTQ Victory Fund.
- The 26-year-old Democrat won the election during a time when issues like LGBTQ individuals in sports and education have been at the forefront of many voters’ minds.
- LGBTQ Victory Fund President Mayor Annise Parker called the victory a “resounding win for New Hampshire and for trans people across the country, with James shattering a lavender ceiling and proving that America is ready for trans men leaders in our state legislatures.”
- There are currently eight openly transgender state lawmakers in the country, all of whom are biological men who identify as women.
OTHER TRANSGENDER ADVANCES FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE:
- A biological man identifying as a woman was also voted a beauty contest winner in the state of New Hampshire.
- Brían Nguyen won “Miss Greater Derry” a pageant under the Miss America organization.
BACKGROUND:
- The Associated Press reported that the first openly gay governor was elected in Massachusetts after Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey won the office.
- Healey, the first openly gay and female candidate for office in the state, defeated Republican Geoff Diehl, a former state lawmaker with Trump’s support.