Winooski elects Vermont’s first transgender lawmaker

Tuesday evening, Vermont elected its first openly transgender legislator. 

Taylor Small will represent Chittenden district 6-7, along with incumbent Hal Colston. Small said she is excited for Winooski to move in this progressive direction and that Vermont has embraced her as the first out trans legislator. 

Small draws inspiration from representative Deanna Gonzalez, who has served in Winooski and Burlington for the past six years. 

She says Gonzalez called her as she decided to retire and encouraged Small to run. “To have that support from an out woman of color was exactly what I needed to step into that position,” Small said. 

Gonzalez served as Small’s treasurer during her campaign. 

Small hopes that more younger, marginalized Vermonters seek a path in political positions, so the legislative body can more accurately represent the diverse communities it serves. 

Small was among several other transgender lawmakers elected to statehouses, and her historic candidacy was recognized by national groups. 

“The impact of Taylor’s groundbreaking victory cannot be overstated," Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, which endorsed Small, said in a statement. 

"There are so few transgender people in elected office that nearly every win is a historic one, yet with each barrier broken comes more trans people inspired to do the same. Even pro-equality states like Vermont need trans voices in government to ensure the priorities and concerns of the community are heard. Taylor will bring that perspective to the state House and Vermont can be a leader on trans equality because of it,” Parker said.

This Tuesday, Winooski’s noncitizen Voter Initiative was approved, which Small says she is ecstatic about. 

“Being able to move in the direction of having all documented citizens voting in the city of Winooski means that we move closer to a true democracy where everyone has a voice,” Small said.