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Florida Democrats Elect First Openly Transgender Delegate

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For the first time, Florida’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention will include an openly transgender individual.

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Monica DePaul is a University of North Florida adjunct professor, a Bernie Sanders supporter, and now the state’s first openly transgender delegate. She believes public officials should reflect the country.

“People in high positions of power start looking very, very similar to one another. And that’s not the same as how the rest of America actually looks. It just isn’t,” she said.

But diversity is more than gender identity or skin color, she says.

“You can’t just take things at face value. Because then you end up with bathroom bills. Then you end up with trickle-down economics. Then you end up with people in debt for the rest of their lives. And I’d say that’s the other reason why I want to be a delegate. I want to help fix what’s been keeping everybody down,” she said.

Terry Fleming is the president of the Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus, and he says this is an important step for the party and the state.

“When the public hears stories from the transgender community, they learn that they’re folks just like anybody else, people that you work alongside, live alongside,” he said.

DePaul and 246 other Florida delegates will head to the convention in Philadelphia this July.

Copyright 2020 WFSU. To see more, visit WFSU.

As a Tallahassee native, Kate Payne grew up listening to WFSU. She loves being part of a station that had such an impact on her. Kate is a graduate of the Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts. With a background in documentary and narrative filmmaking, Kate has a broad range of multimedia experience. When she’s not working, you can find her rock climbing, cooking or hanging out with her cat.
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