PHOTOGRAPHED AT LEGISLATIVE PLAZA BY ERIC ENGLAND.

Nashville native Marisa Richmond grew up as part of a politically active family in Bordeaux. (Her mother passed out leaflets for John F. Kennedy.) In 2003, Richmond became the first president of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, and today she volunteers her time lobbying for equal rights for trans people in Tennessee and beyond.

Marisa currently teaches in the Department of History and Women’s and Gender Studies Program at Middle Tennessee State University.   She has her A.B. from Harvard University, her M.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and her Ph.D. from George Washington University, all in U.S. History. 

Marisa has served many years as the Lobbyist for the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition, and was recently named to the Metro Human Relations Commission

In 2008, she became the first openly transgender person to win an election in Tennessee when she was elected to the Davidson County Democratic Party (DCDP) Executive Committee. She currently serves as a Vice Chair of DCDP. Also in 2008, she became the first African American, transgender person to serve as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from any state.  She served as a Tennessee delegate again in 2012 along with serving as a member of the Steering Committee of Trans United for Obama

Our next meeting on Saturday August 18th at 6:30, is perhaps one of the best growth opportunities we have been offered: A chance to get to know members of our trans community at a deeper level and to understand the challenges they have to endure in the current socio-political environment.

The bright day will somehow dawn, when we all live together as equals, embracing our differences and enjoying the beautiful pallet of people with whom  we have the privilege of sharing life on this earth.

Understanding each other and loving each other, as we are, is our goal, don’t you think? On the 18th we will all move a step closer to this ideal, when we open our minds to our brothers and sisters in the Trans community. They are coming to us, to do the same.

We all have so much to gain as we grow new friendships. Marisa Richmond, a valued member of L-club, is offering all of us a chance to do just that!

Come on the 18th. Listen to the voices of these good people who so bravely come before you. They offer you a part of themselves. I for one, cherish their gift.

From Marisa who will be leading our panel on August 18th:

Here are our panel members

Karie Adair, 

Ray Holloman,

Carla Lewis, 

Rain McVeigh

Karie is active in the Rutherford County Democratic Party and can talk about life outside of Davidson County.  Actually, Rain also lives in Rutherford.

Ray gives us a trans man's perspective.

Carla was discharged from the Army when she came out before the policy was finally changed in July 2016.

 

Rain is a current student (or may have just graduated...) so she can provide some perspective on what trans students face.

For further information, here are the very best resources:

National Center for Transgender Equality, https://transequality.org/

Transgender Law Center, https://transgenderlawcenter.org/

These two national groups are our most important resources in educating and coordinating the work being done around the country.