A historic event took place in New York City: Taylor Brown became the first openly trans person to head a city office, as well as the highest-ranking transgender official in the history of the city government. She heads the newly created Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.
Taylor grew up in poverty in rural North Carolina and, at the age of 18, faced discrimination when she was denied access to gender-affirming care. However, she did not give up and was able to challenge that decision.
"I grew up in poverty, with limited resources, and had to fight for myself," Brown recalls.
Prior to her appointment, Brown worked as a lawyer at leading civil rights organizations, including Lambda Legal Defense and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). She has been involved in landmark court cases, including one concerning the rights of trans people to change the information on their birth certificates in West Virginia.
She also worked at the Civil Rights Bureau within the New York State Attorney General’s Office and was involved in lawsuits challenging discriminatory practices, including bans on transgender women and girls participating in athletic events.
"My life story is about being born in a way that doesn't fit society's definition of 'normal' and facing discrimination because of something I can't change," Brown said. "I want—and queer people want—the same thing as everyone else: the opportunity to live a full, meaningful life."
Taylor Brown's appointment has received widespread support among human rights advocates, as such steps are critically important given the growing pressure on the LGBTQIA+ community at the federal level.
