Newly elected city council members Phillipe Cunningham, left ,and Andrea Jenkins pose after an interview Thursday, Nov. 9, at City Hall in Minneapolis. The two black transgender representatives-elect add to what advocacy groups have described as a banner election for transgender people in public office. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
November 09, 2017 - 3:22 PM
MINNEAPOLIS - Two newly elected transgender members of the Minneapolis City Council hugged, shared a high-five and enjoyed cheers from onlookers as they met at City Hall.
Andrea Jenkins and Phillipe Cunningham take office in January. They say their historic wins are a victory for equality in the U.S.
Jenkins and Cunningham know their way around City Hall. Jenkins, a 56-year-old transgender woman, spent years as a policy aide to two previous council members. Cunningham, a 29-year-old transgender man, worked in the mayor's office.
Cunningham says when voters found out he was transgender and black — and that his husband also is transgender — they said, "That's who I want to represent my neighbourhood."
Jenkins says their election is a signal that "hatred and bigotry in this country will not stand."
News from © The Associated Press, 2017