This uncredited handout photo provided by the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) shows Raffi Freedman-Gurspan in Washington.
The White House announced on Tuesday that it has hired its first openly transgender staff member.
Appointed as an outreach and recruitment director for presidential personnel in the Office of Personnel, Raffi Freedman-Gurspan is the first openly transgender to officially serve in the White House, according to transgender advocates.
NBC News reports that “Freedman-Gurspan previously was a policy adviser for the National Center for Transgender Equality’s racial and economic justice initiative.”
White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett said Freedman-Gurspan’s commitment to improving the lives of transgender Americans reflects the values of the Obama administration.
Raffi Freedman-Gurspan demonstrates the kind of leadership this administration champions. Her commitment to bettering the lives of transgender Americans, particularly transgender people of color and those in poverty, reflects the values of this Administration.
Community leaders and advocates, such as Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights, applauded the appointment:
As the first openly transgender person to work for the White House, Raffi’s appointment is another important step toward ensuring our federal government fully includes the voices and experiences of our communities. We’re confident that Raffi will continue the Obama Administration’s strong record of appointing qualified openly LGBT public servants to positions across the federal government.
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