A 24-year-old named Émilia Decaudin is aiming to become New York’s first openly transgender legislator by running for a seat in the New York Assembly. If elected, Decaudin would make history as the state’s first transgender elected official.
Decaudin, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, was elected to a Democratic Party post in 2020. She is part of a growing group of transgender politicians who are breaking barriers in the world of politics.
Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride, a Democrat, currently holds the highest-ranking position as a transgender elected official in the country. She recently announced her campaign for her state’s sole seat in the House of Representatives.
Danica Roem, a Democrat, made history in 2017 as the first openly transgender person elected to a state legislature in Virginia. She has now announced her candidacy for an open state Senate seat in Northern Virginia, aiming to become the first transgender state senator in the South.
Lisa Middleton, a trans woman, is running for a Coachella Valley-based seat in the California state Senate. If elected, she would become the first transgender state legislator in the largest U.S. state. Middleton, a Democrat, was elected to the Palm Springs City Council in 2017.
The 2020 elections marked significant progress for transgender representation in politics. Stephanie Byers became the first trans candidate elected in Kansas, while Sarah McBride and Mauree Turner also made groundbreaking achievements. McBride became the first transgender state senator in the U.S., and Turner was elected as the first nonbinary state legislator in Oklahoma.
The momentum for trans representation continues in the 2022 midterm elections, with more than 1,000 transgender candidates running for political office. The LGBTQ Victory Fund has backed 11 trans candidates this year, including those running for city council positions in cities like Minneapolis, Madison, and Greencastle.
Studies have shown that the transgender population is growing, with an estimated 1.3% of adults aged 18-24 and 1.4% of 13- to 17-year-olds identifying as transgender. The increase in trans candidates running for office can be attributed to a desire to combat legislation targeting trans individuals, such as bills restricting their participation in sports or bathroom usage.
While trans rights play a significant role in motivating these candidates, they are also driven to address broader issues. Decaudin, for instance, wants to tackle New York’s affordability crisis, which disproportionately affects marginalized communities, including transgender individuals.
Despite the progress, LGBTQ representation in elected offices remains low, with only 0.2% of all U.S. elected officials self-identifying as LGBTQ. This percentage is significantly below the 7.1% of American adults who identify as LGBTQ.
Trans candidates, including Decaudin, face transphobic attacks both online and in person. While they are prepared to handle such adversity, they believe they shouldn’t have to face it.
In conclusion, Émilia Decaudin’s campaign for a seat in the New York Assembly has the potential to make history as she aims to become the state’s first openly transgender elected official. Along with other trans politicians across the United States, Decaudin’s candidacy represents a growing movement for trans representation in politics.
