A 28-year-old Lexington native will make history as Lexington’s first transgender member of the Urban County Council
Originally published by WEKU.
In January, history will be made when the first transgender person takes a seat on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. Emma Curtis defeated Fourth District Incumbent Brenda Monarrez on Tuesday.
The margin of victory for Curtis was just over 300 votes. When the 28-year-old Lexington native got that information, Curtis excitedly hugged several people at the Democratic event. The first-time candidate said it’s an opportunity to do something that folks like her aren’t typically afforded the opportunity to do.
“And I think that is significant because there are a lot of young trans kids in Lexington and a lot of young trans kids in Kentucky and quite frankly a lot of young trans kids in the United States who need to see people like them getting a seat at the table,” said Curtis.
Curtis labels fixing Nicholasville Road as a primary priority including multi-modal intersections, getting pedestrian infrastructure up to snuff with state and federal support. She also said lowering the cost of rent and increasing government transparency are high on her list.
A Fayette Circuit Judge instituted a three-year emergency protective order to be served by Monarrez after ruling that Monarrez sexually assaulted Council Member Denise Gray twice. Monarrez has denied such assaults occurred. Curtis was asked if the Monarrez court case was a factor in the race.
“Any allegations of sexual assault or misconduct need to be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly in the appropriate venue. As it comes to Ms. Monarrez in her specific situation, come January Ms Monarrez is gonna be one of my constituents and I’m not in the business of speaking ill of my constituents,” said Curtis.
During her speech to supporters, Curtis said her race for Council included so much nastiness, pettiness, anger, confusion, and controversy. Then she said, “no more of that.”
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Originally published by WEKU.
Republished with permission.
