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Emma Curtis

Emma Curtis
Member of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council from the 4th District
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 6, 2025
Preceded byBrenda Monarrez
Personal details
Born1996
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
EducationCentre College (BA)
OccupationPolitician, activist, filmmaker

Emma Curtis (born 1996) is an American politician, activist, and filmmaker from Kentucky. In 2024, she was elected to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, representing the 4th District. Curtis assumed office on January 6, 2025. Curtis is the first openly transgender person to serve on the Urban County Council in Lexington and the second transgender public official in Kentucky.[1]

Early life and education

Curtis was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and raised on her family's tobacco and cattle farm in Woodford County. She graduated from Woodford County High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Centre College, a private liberal arts college in Danville, Kentucky, in 2018.[2]

Career and activism

After college, Curtis pursued a career as an independent filmmaker, focusing on stories that highlight the experiences of individuals in central Kentucky. In addition to her filmmaking endeavors, she became a dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and increased civic engagement.[3] Curtis has been actively involved with organizations such as CivicLex, the Lexington Forum, and the Fayette Women's Network, all of which aim to enhance civic health and community involvement in Lexington.[4]

In 2023, Curtis gained national attention for her activism against Kentucky's Senate Bill 150, a legislative measure that imposed restrictions on discussions of sexuality and pronoun use in classrooms and banned gender-affirming care for transgender minors.[5][6] Her testimony against the bill went viral, amplifying her voice as a leading advocate for transgender rights in the state.[4][7][8]

Political career

In June 2023, Curtis announced her candidacy for the 93rd District seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2023. Her campaign, contesting a special election to succeed Lamin Swann was historic, as she sought to become the first openly transgender state legislator in Kentucky.[1][9] The Curtis campaign quickly raised $10,000 in donations in the first week, and she was considered a front-runner for the Democratic nomination.[10] Kentucky Democrats later selected Adrielle Camuel to run for the seat. Her selection caused controversy as Camuel was a member of the nomination committee.[10][11] After Camuel's selection, Curtis endorsed and campaigned for Camuel.[12] In September 2023, Curtis rescinded her support for Camuel, after concerns of Camuel's language and behavior on trans-rights issues.[13] After Curtis and 11 other transgender Kentucky leaders wrote an open letter to Camuel condemning her remarks, Camuel issued a formal apology.[14]

In January 2024, Curtis announced her candidacy for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council's 4th District seat. Curtis campaigned on a platform advocating for a more inclusive society for all residents of Lexington.[15] Her campaign focused on issues such as improving road safety, addressing affordable housing, and enhancing government transparency. In the November 2024 general election, Curtis defeated incumbent Brenda Monarrez, securing 51.8% of the vote.[16] Her victory made her the first openly transgender person elected to the Urban County Council in Lexington and the second transgender public official in Kentucky.[17][18]

On January 12, 2025, Curtis was sworn in as a council member for the 2025-2026 legislative session.[19] She has expressed that her presence in public office serves as an inspiration for young transgender individuals, demonstrating that they have a place and a voice in their communities.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Emma Curtis". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  2. ^ "Council District 4, Emma Curtis | City of Lexington, Kentucky". www.lexingtonky.gov. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  3. ^ a b "Emma Curtis talks about her newly elected role on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council". LEX 18 News - Lexington, KY (WLEX). 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  4. ^ a b "LGBTQ+ activist Emma Curtis launches campaign to be first transgender legislator in Kentucky - Queer Kentucky". 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  5. ^ "23RS SB 150". apps.legislature.ky.gov. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  6. ^ "Kentucky's ban on gender-affirming care takes effect as federal judge lifts injunction". PBS News. 2023-07-14. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  7. ^ "Doe v. Thornbury - Challenge to Transgender Health Care Ban | ACLU of Kentucky". www.aclu-ky.org. 2023-04-21. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  8. ^ Horn, Austin (March 28, 2023). "Behind the scenes: How an effort to soften Kentucky's 'anti-trans' bill fell apart". Lexington Herald Leader.
  9. ^ Lucke, Jamie (2023-06-01). "Lexington Democrat kicks off campaign to become Kentucky's first transgender lawmaker • Kentucky Lantern". Kentucky Lantern. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  10. ^ a b "In an Unexpected Turn, Adrielle Camuel Clinches Democratic Nomination for Kentucky's House District 93". The Lexington Times. 2023-06-30. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  11. ^ Olivia, Paul (July 6, 2023). "In House District 93, Ky Dems made the wrong move in picking new candidate". Lexington Herald Leader.
  12. ^ "Democrats choose Camuel over Curtis, others, to run for Swann's former seat". LEX 18 News - Lexington, KY (WLEX). 2023-07-05. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  13. ^ Oliva, Paul (2023-09-09). "Emma Curtis Rescinds Endorsement of Adrielle Camuel Over Transphobic Behavior". The Lexington Times. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  14. ^ Ladd, Sarah (September 14, 2023). "Camuel issues an apology for comment on transgender health care law". Kentucky Lantern. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  15. ^ Emma Curtis Wins 4th District Council Seat. LEX18. 2024-11-08. Retrieved 2025-01-10 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ "Emma Curtis wins local race for Lexington City Council". FOX 56 News. 2024-11-06. Archived from the original on 2024-11-10. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  17. ^ "Emma Curtis becomes first transgender city councilor in Kentucky". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved 2025-01-10.
  18. ^ "A 28-year-old Lexington native will make history as Lexington's first transgender member of the Urban County Council". WEKU. 2024-11-06. Retrieved 2025-01-13.
  19. ^ O'Barto, Jace (January 12, 2025). "Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council's 2025-2026 members sworn in". Fox 56.
Quelle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Curtis