Aime Wichtendahl is the first openly trans woman elected to government in the State of Iowa. She was first elected to the Hiawatha City Council in 2015, and was reelected without opposition in 2019 and 2023. She became the first transgender person elected to the Iowa Legislature, representing District 80, which includes Northeast Cedar Rapids and the cities of Robins and Hiawatha, in the 2024 election. During the 91st General Assembly, she spoke passionately in defense of trans rights and in opposition to the removal of gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act. She is the ranking member of the House Economic Growth and Technology Committee and serves on the Ways & Means, Judiciary, Veterans, and Local Government Committees.

Ms. Wichtendahl is also the author of the 2011 novel “The Butterfly and the Flame,” which was a Lambda Literary Finalist in 2012. She graduated from Mount Mercy College, now University, in 2005. In her spare time, Ms. Wichtendahl spends time with her family and writes eclectic sci-fi stories.

Chris Kalcich has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and progressive causes for more than a decade. He currently serves as Vice President of the Pennsylvania Young Democrats and is the Executive Director of Fairness Pennsylvania, a statewide LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization.

Kalcich was only the second openly transgender individual to hold public elected office in Pennsylvania (Selinsgrove Borough Council), and the first to hold party leadership. As Chair of the Snyder County Democratic Committee from 2021 to May 2026, he helped oversee local party organization and engagement efforts at the county level. In 2024, he was named to Inside PA’s 30 Under 30 list in recognition of his advocacy and public service work.

Stu Rasmussen (1948-2021) made history in 2008 by becoming the first openly transgender mayor elected in the United States after winning election as mayor of Silverton, Oregon. Rasmussen served on the Silverton City Council beginning in 1984 and served as mayor from 1988 to 1992 as a man, before returning to office in 2008 after transitioning to a woman.

During Rasmussen’s tenure, the city developed a new community center, expanded its public library and senior center, revitalized local businesses, and increased tourism. Rasmussen’s election demonstrated that transgender public officials could serve openly while earning the support of their community.

Congresswoman Sarah McBride was elected to Congress in November 2024 and represents the state of Delaware as its sole member of the House of Representatives, becoming the first openly transgender person elected to Congress. Congresswoman McBride was the first transgender state Senator in U.S. history, serving the First State Senate District of Delaware from 2020 to 2025. She has worked as a public servant and advocate for decades.

As a state senator, McBride distinguished herself as a leading health advocate by expanding access to care and strengthening public health systems, including passing the landmark Healthy Delaware Families Act, providing paid family and medical leave, and the Protect Medicaid Act of 2024.

Admiral Rachel Levine, MD, is the highest-ranking openly transgender government official in U.S. history, serving as the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health from March 2021 to 2025, under President Joe Biden. In 2021, Dr. Levine was commissioned as a four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, becoming the first openly transgender four-star officer in any of the U.S. uniformed services. Her clinical and public health work has helped people dealing with a range of medical issues, including eating disorders, the opioid crisis, and COVID-19. She is vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ youth, emphasizing that gender-affirming care is essential, life-saving healthcare.

Dr. Levine previously served as the Pennsylvania physician general from 2015 to 2017 and as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health from 2017 to 2021.

Melissa Sklarz is the only transgender elected official in New York, representing the 30th AD in Queens. Currently, she is vice chair of the New York State Democratic Party and is the Secretary of the Queens Democratic Party. Melissa became the first trans member of the Electoral College in 2016.

Melissa served as Political Director of Equality NY and the past Government Relations Strategist for SAGE, advocating for LGBTQ seniors. In 2025, Melissa was among the LGBTQ leaders who advocated for and received a New York City budgeted grant of $13.725 million for trans equity and trans care, the largest public award for trans people in the nation.

A lifelong New Yorker, Elisa Crespo is a trans Latina leader whose work has consistently centered the needs and voices of TGNCNB people. In addition to serving as the current Executive Director of the Stonewall Community Foundation, she helped build the NEW Pride Agenda into the force it is today as its former Executive Director and played a key role in advancing NY’s Lorena Borjas Transgender and Nonbinary Wellness & Equity Fund.

Her organizing and public leadership have been covered by outlets like them, LGBTQ Nation, Marie Claire, and OUT Magazine as well as recognized by partners across New York. At every step of her career, Elisa’s advocacy and public leadership have created real opportunities and support for our communities.