Historic election wins for transgender candidates.

Yesterday proved to be a historic day for the transgender community as five openly transgender candidates won elections in Virginia, Minnesota, California, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, winning seats on school boards, on city councils, and in a state house. Voter turnout was strong and the nation sent a clear and loud message that they are not satisfied with the status quo and that things need to change. Democrats were the big winners when the votes were counted, and the LGBT community was the biggest winner of all, showing that the Trump Administration’s agenda of hate and discrimination is not working and is not endorsed by a growing number of Americans.

Democrat Danica Roem became the first openly transgender candidate to be elected and seated to a state legislature when she beat 26-year incumbent Bob Marshall for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. Marshall is well known for his anti-trans beliefs, having proposed a bathroom bill earlier this year to restrict access to public bathrooms for trans people. During the campaign Marshall continually misgendered Roem by using male pronouns. While this was a historic win it was also especially satisfying beating someone so openly opposed to the LGBT community. “To every person who has ever been singled out, who has ever been stigmatized, who has ever been the misfit, who’s ever been the kid in the corner, who’s ever needed someone to stand up for them when they didn’t have a voice of their own because there is no one else with them, this one is for you,” she told her supporters Tuesday night.

Andrea Jenkins became the first transgender woman of color to be elected to public office as she won a seat in the Minneapolis City Council to represent the city’s 8th ward with a convincing win, getting more than 70% of the votes. “My election is what resistance looks like,” Jenkins said in a statement Tuesday night. “It’s also about hope. As a City Council Member, I will be committed to advocating for equity for the most marginalized in our community.”

Lisa Middleton became the first transgender person elected to a non-judicial office in California. She was elected to a spot on the Palm Springs City Council with nearly 31% of the votes.

Tyler Titus is the first openly transgender person ever elected in Pennsylvania after winning a seat on the Erie School Board.

Also of note, Jenny Durkan became the first lesbian mayor in Seattle.

It has been a year full of anger and frustration for the trans community, but last night gives us reason to celebrate and be hopeful that the tide is turning against Trumpism and that Americans are finally coming to the realization that hate and discrimination is not acceptable in this country. And a big thank you to all who cast their vote yesterday, clearly showing that change can be affected by voting and that your vote does matter. Let’s continue this momentum into next year, when the election will be even more important as congressional seats will be up for vote. Continue to make your voice heard, because last night showed that it’s working.