Nashville voters elected Tennessee’s first transgender lawmaker Thursday, according to the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, a political action group that aims to elect queer people to public office.

The historic victory comes months after Tennessee made national headlines for passing laws that restrict certain drag performances and prohibit transition-related medical care for minors.

Olivia Hill, 57, won one of Nashville Metro Council’s four nonpartisan seats up for grabs, securing 12.9% of the vote, according to election data site Ballotpedia. She served in the Navy for 10 years as an engineer before working as an engineer for Vanderbilt University, according to her campaign website. She has also been a vocal LGBTQ advocate in Nashville and beyond, serving on the board of directors for the Tennessee Pride Chamber, the website says.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    361 year ago

    Well, I voted for them so I’ll take partial credit.

    Nashville is an oasis of blue in a red state… But I suppose that describes all big cities in red states these days.

    • @jerome
      link
      31 year ago

      Nice. I have a feeling they’ll try their best.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      11 year ago

      Nashville is an oasis of blue in a red state

      Bigger cities and places with a lot of artists and musicians tend to be more accepting.

    • Flying Squid
      link
      01 year ago

      Honestly, if I didn’t absolutely hate modern country music, I’d consider moving there. It’s bad enough here in Indiana.