The City and County of Honolulu elects highest ranking openly transgendered person in nation

[Quetzal]

The City and County of Honolulu elects highest ranking openly transgendered person in nation

HONOLULU (AP) _ Kim Coco Iwamoto has earned a seat on Hawaii's statewide Board of Education. According to national advocacy groups, she becomes the country's highest-elected openly transgender person.

Iwamoto did not make her gender status part of her campaign. But she has openly advocated for transgender youth and related issues at the state capitol.

She placed third among six candidates for three seats representing Oahu, along with Karen Knudsen and Donna Ikeda.

Iwamoto issued a signed statement after her victory, saying she looks forward to working with other board members to move the state forward.

Iwamoto was born on Kauai and attended all-boys Saint Louis High School on Oahu.

http://www.kpua.net/news.php?id=9828

I just want to add that her district will include ALL of the island of O'ahu which has a little more than 900,000 people.

My fellow co-workers said this about her:

"I know that she is a trangedered person, but she is really smart about where she wants to take our public school system. She knows what she is talking about. I am voting for her"

For those of you from Hawaii, this is especially sweet considering that this was the same seat held by Fundie-Wingnut Mike Gabbard's wife, Carol Gabbard.

Although she represents the people of O'ahu, the board of education's policies have an impact on all state schools.

[MuseRider]

1. Great news!

Woo damn Hoo for Hawaii.

[crispini]

2. Nice!

Good job.

[donsu]

3. kicking

nt

[Zenlitened]

4. Awesome news! So many barriers crumbling away!

I know it seems like all the news is bad most days, but we are living in a special time in American history.

Ms. Iwamoto was elected based on her resumé it seems. So was Deval Patrick, the Governor-elect in Massachusetts, the first African-American to win that spot (by a landslide, no less!) in Commonwealth history.

And Martha Coakley, the new Attorney-General-elect of Massachusetts. First woman to win that office. Gender? Barely a factor, as far as I could tell. Her impressive record as a country prosecutor sealed the deal at a glance.

I'm sure there are many, many other examples from around the country: Good people, smart and capable people, elected because of the excellence they'll bring to the job. Not despite, nor even because of, their gender, gender identity, ethnicity, etc.

It feels like last night was a turning point for America in SO MANY ways, on SO MANY levels.

Let's keep the momentum going!

[Mabus]

5. Proud to give it #5 in support of our transgendered friends

Be proud of who you are. Right on!

[Hekate]

6. Way to go, Hawai'i-nei. Imua!

Wow, I just got teary for my old home. This is great.

:kick: for our transgendered DUers and other transgendered friends and co-workers. And a :grouphug: for the progress being made today.

Hekate

[Maven]

7. K/R for equality!

[Orrex]

8. That's fantastic!

This is the first I've heard that a transgendered person was even running. Congratulations to Ms. Iwamoto for her victory and to Hawaii for making a courageous vote!
:applause:


Dave!

[Duncan Grant]

9. That's wonderful news! K&R!

Congratulations, Kim Coco Iwamoto! :woohoo:

[stepnw1f]

10. Wow... That's Cool (nt)

[KamaAina]

11. Righteous! I voted for her based on endorsements, etc.

and had no idea I was helping the island blaze the trail yet again (first woman of color in Congress, one of three pre-Roe states, etc.)

Props to the local media for not harping on this (imagine what the NY Post might have done with this...).

edit: spelling

[myrna minx]

12. This is fantastic.

:bounce:

[Pathwalker]

13. It just keeps getting better - good for her, good for

O'ahu! I'm getting giddy from all this good news!

[Treclo]

14. Fanfuckingtastic!

Can things get any better for us today!!!

[DarkmoonIkonoklast]

15. Hawai'i-nei has come a long LONG way!

   Thanks to Uncle Sam, I lived in the Islands in 1968 and 1969... During that period, a club on Hotel Street called "The Glades" catered to gay and/or transgendered males, transvestites, transsexuals, etc... For reasons I never ascertained, or don't remember now, the Glades' regulars were required by law to wear, in a conspicuously visible location, a large purple button emblazoned in large, bold type with the words "I Am A Boy".
   Now, a transgendered person has been entrusted with the education of the State's youth.
   Madame Pe'lee' would be pleased!

[UncleSepp]

19. How can I get one of those buttons?

I have never heard that story before, and I find it moving. I am a transman, and for me, using a badge, the purpose of which was once oppressive, as a validating badge of pride, would have both humor and meaning. (Sorry for my awkward phrasing - I can't seem to untangle my grammar today!)

[Hekate]

20. I remember that! Some folks wanted to outlaw cross-dressing, but they had to settle for the button!

Ha!

So glad times have changed.

Hekate

[Megahurtz]

16. Yea Hawaii!!!

:yourock:

[Quetzal]

17. kick

:kick:

[Cha]

18. Wonderful news!

Thank you!