The White House has hired its first openly transgender staff member, Raffi Freedman-Gurspan. Freedman-Gurspan is the first openly transgender official in history to serve in the White House.
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In a statement, senior White House adviser Valerie Jarrett praised Obama’s decision, saying it “demonstrates the kind of leadership this administration champions”.
“Her work included advocacy on issues such as improving the conditions for transgender prisoners, addressing biased policing against transgender communities, limiting the use of detention for undocumented transgender immigrants, and finding solutions to address violence against transgender women of color”, she said.
During his time in office, President Barack Obama has made several moves in advancing sexual and gender minority rights, including barring discrimination against transgender government employees.
“President Obama has long said he wants his Administration to look like the American people”, NCTE Executive Director Mara Keisling said.
Freedman-Gurspan was adopted from Honduras and grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts. That the first transgender appointee is a transgender woman of color is itself significant.
The White House announced Raffi Freedman-Gurspan’s appointment on Tuesday.
The new staffer also used to work for the Massachusetts state legislature where she was “instrumental” in the passing of the state’s Transgender Equal Rights Law, according to former State House Representative Carl Sciortino. She really particularly excelled in the policy work.
LGBT advocates have hailed the Freedman-Gurspa White House appointment as a win and an “important step”.
“Raffi is a role model”, he said.
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“Raffi is never going to allow herself to just be a token symbol”, says Sciortino. “Her hiring is a symbol of progress for the transgender community, but without a doubt I know it will be her skill and hard work that will benefit many”. “She gives everything of herself”.
