List of transgender political office-holders


Since the 1990s, transgender individuals have been elected to public office in growing numbers, across East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Southern Europe, Northern Europe, and Western Europe. There also has been a growing number of transgender politicians in Northern America, Oceania, the Caribbean, Central America, the Southern Cone, Andean States, and Eastern South America. In the U.S. alone, from 2017 to 2025, the number of transgender politicians rosen 1800%. despite candidates facing obstacles in raising money for campaigns. Elsewhere, transgender politicians have been gaining prominence as well, with political allegiances "fairly spread between parties of the left, center and independents," with some noting trans politicians making clear the "importance of representation in government" to ensure adequate political participation.

Europe

Eastern Europe

NameOffice heldTenurePolitical partyIdentityNotesCountry
Anna GrodzkaMP of Sejm2011–2015Your MovementTrans womanDescribed as "only trans parliament member" in the world at the time of her election.Poland
Anna GrodzkaMP of Sejm2011–2015The GreensTrans womanDescribed as "only trans parliament member" in the world at the time of her election.Poland

Southern Europe

NameOffice heldTenurePolitical partyIdentityNotesCountry
Carla AntonelliMember of Assembly of Madrid2011–2021Spanish Socialist Workers' Party Trans womanFirst openly trans person to be elected to the Cortes Generales, as well as the first openly trans person to serve in a regional legislature in Spain.Spain
Carla AntonelliMember of Assembly of Madrid2023–Más Madrid Trans womanFirst openly trans person to be elected to the Cortes Generales, as well as the first openly trans person to serve in a regional legislature in Spain.Spain
Carla AntonelliSenator of Senate of Spain2023–Sumar Trans womanFirst openly trans person to be elected to the Cortes Generales, as well as the first openly trans person to serve in a regional legislature in Spain.Spain
Marcella Di FolcoMunicipal councilor in Bologna1995–1998Federation of the GreensTrans womanDescribed as a "transgender icon," she was the first open trans woman to hold a political public office in the world.Italy
Jimena GonzálezMember of Assembly of Madrid2023–Más MadridTrans womanElected in 2023, she was first transgender person to run for election under a preferred given name rather than a legal given name during her first, and filed, electoral run in 2021.Spain
Vladimir LuxuriaMP in Chamber of Deputies2006–2008Communist Refoundation PartyTrans womanRepresented Lazio 1 constituency and first openly transgender MP in Europe.Italy
Porpora MarcascianoMunicipal councilor in Bologna2021Civic Coalition – Courageous Ecologist SolidarityTrans womanShe was elected as part of the majority. On November 11, 2021, she was elected President of the Equal Opportunities Commission of the Bologna City Council.Italy
Gianmarco NegriMayor of Tromello, Province of Pavia2019Trans manFirst transgender mayor elected in Italy.Italy
Monica RomanoMunicipal councilor in Milan2021Democratic PartyTrans womanFirst transgender councilor in Milan.Italy
Manuela TrasobaresTown Councilor in Geldo2007Democratic Republican ActionTrans womanFirst trans person, in Spain, that was elected.Spain

Northern Europe

NameOffice heldTenurePolitical partyIdentityNotesCountry
Lina Axelsson KihlblomMinister for Schools in Andersson cabinet2021–2022Swedish Social Democratic PartyTrans womanFirst transgender cabinet minister in Swedish history.Sweden
Jenny BaileyCambridge City Councillor, East Chesterton Ward2002–2008Liberal DemocratsTrans womanUnited Kingdom
Jenny BaileyMayors of Cambridge2007–2008Liberal DemocratsTrans womanFirst transgender mayor in the United Kingdom. Bailey herself was keen to play down the significance of her appointment, saying, "I don't want to let it define me."United Kingdom
Helen Clare BelcherWiltshire Councillor2021–Liberal DemocratsTrans womanElected in 2021, and British transgender activist.United Kingdom
Violet BonettaEast Devon District Councillor2023–Labour PartyTrans womanFirst trans councillor and youngest Councillor elected to council of East Evan District, with Bonetta saying she was "immensely proud" to have the position.United Kingdom
Alexandra BriemPresident of Reykjavík City Council2021–Pirate PartyTrans womanFirst trans council leader in Reykjavík and first trans person to hold political office in Iceland.Iceland
Sarah BrownCambridge City Councilor, Petersfield2010–2014Liberal DemocratsTrans womanWas the first openly transgender politician in the U.K. "for several years" and campaigned for trans rights.United Kingdom
Sarah FanetMember of The Highland Council for Fort William & Ardnamurchan2021–2025Scottish National PartyTrans womanServing on the Highland Council, she was the first transgender councillor in the Highlands.United Kingdom
Elaine GallagherGlasgow City Councillor2022–Scottish GreensTrans womanFirst trans councillor for Glasgow who hoped, after she was elected, that it would indicate that transgender people should not be seen as a threat.United Kingdom
Raphael HillBrighton and Hove City Councillor2023–Green PartyTrans womanFirst transgender councillor for Brighton.United Kingdom
Tammy HymasCouncillor for London Borough of Haringey2023–2025Labour PartyTrans womanRepresented St Ann's ward and first trans councillor, for the Labour Party, in Haringey, and later said she faced "abuse and threats for being a transgender woman in politics."United Kingdom
Zoë Kirk-RobinsonBolton Councillor for Westhoughton North and Chew Moor2016–2019Conservative PartyTrans womanIn 2016, criticized a Labour Party member for misgendering her during a council meeting, reporting it to the police as hate crime.United Kingdom
Kira LewisCouncillor for Waltham Forest London Borough2022–Labour PartyTrans womanFollowing their election, Lewis promised to work hard and show that "transgender and gender non-conforming people can be proud of who we are and effective representatives in local government."United Kingdom
Rosalind MitchellBristol City Councillor1997–1999Labour Party Trans womanIn September 1997, while a serving member of Bristol City Council, she announced her intention to transition to being a trans woman and was the first British politician to do so while holding elected office.United Kingdom
Mia MulderCouncillor of Sollentuna2022–2025Left PartyBisexual Trans womanElected in 2022, and noted on social media, in June 2020, that she is bisexual.Sweden
Anwen MustonCity of Wolverhampton Council for East Park2016–2024Labour PartyTrans womanFirst openly transgender woman to be elected as a Labour representative.United Kingdom
Chris NorthwoodManchester City Councillor2023–Liberal DemocratsTrans womanSaid on social media that she was elected "with a majority of 335."United Kingdom
Zoe O'ConnellCambridge City Councillor, Trumpington Ward2015–2019Liberal DemocratsTrans womanProminent campaigner for transgender rights who is in a polyamorous relationship with Sarah Brown, Sylvia Knight, and several snakes.United Kingdom
Tanya-Jayne ParkEastleigh Councillor2021–Liberal DemocratsTrans womanDescribes herself as a "fifty something transwoman entrepreneur." Elected to the council in 2021, under the name "Tanya Park."United Kingdom
Hannah PhillipsLymington and Pennington Town Councillor2023–Liberal DemocratsTrans womanPhillips has been the target of significant harassment and receives regular death threats.United Kingdom
Kaz SelfBristol City Councillor2024–Labour PartyTrans womanFirst openly transgender woman to be elected as a Bristol councillor.United Kingdom
Nikki SinclaireMEP for West Midlands2009–2014UK Independence Party Lesbian Trans womanFirst ever trans British parliamentarian, coming out in 2013. Previously, in 2004, Sinclaire came out as lesbian in a letter to the LGBTQ newspaper The Pink Paper.United Kingdom
Nikki SinclaireMEP for West Midlands2009–2014We Demand a Referendum Now Lesbian Trans womanFirst ever trans British parliamentarian, coming out in 2013. Previously, in 2004, Sinclaire came out as lesbian in a letter to the LGBTQ newspaper The Pink Paper.United Kingdom
Tania StevensonOckbrook and Borrowash Parish Councillor2023–IndependentTrans womanFirst trans councillor for Borrowash.United Kingdom
Dylan TippettsPlymouth City Councillor2022–2025Labour Party Trans manFollowing his election he said that he hoped that it would help "dial down hate and division."United Kingdom
Dylan TippettsPlymouth City Councillor2022–2025Liberal Democrats Trans manFollowing his election he said that he hoped that it would help "dial down hate and division."United Kingdom
Katie WallisMP for Bridgend2019–2024Conservative PartyTrans womanCome as transgender in 2022.United Kingdom
Alexandra Ward-SlotteCouncillor in the municipality of Stenungsund2019ModeratesTrans womanMember of West Pride Board, pushed for improvements for lives of trans people including in healthcare.Sweden
Isla WrathmellLambeth London Borough Councillor2022–Labour PartyTrans womanDescribed herself as a proud trans woman who was standing with her "Labour colleagues to support a ban on conversion therapy for trans people."United Kingdom

Western Europe

NameOffice heldTenurePolitical partyIdentityNotesCountry
Victoria BroßartMP of Bundestag2025–Alliance 90/The GreensTrans womanThird openly transgender person elected to the German parliament after Nyke Slawik and Tessa Ganserer.Germany
Marie CauMayor of Tilloy-lez-Marchiennes2020–2025Trans womanFirst openly transgender mayor in France.France
Camille CabralCouncilor of the 17th arrondissement of Paris2001–2008The GreensTrans womanFirst trans woman to be elected in the history of the French Republic.France
Petra De SutterMember of Belgian Senate2014–2019GroenLesbian Trans womanFirst candidate, on a Belgian election list, who was openly transgender, and asserted that trans woman can, unlike other individuals, understand "the sensitivities of both genders and can therefore be good diplomats and, hence, politicians" and noted she is a lesbian.Belgium
Petra De SutterMEP for Belgium2019–2020GroenLesbian Trans womanRecognized for her work as an MEP on sexual and reproductive rights.Belgium
Petra De SutterBelgian Minister for Civil Service, Public Enterprises, Telecommunication and Postal Services2020–2025GroenLesbian Trans womanEurope's first transgender deputy prime minister, and the most senior trans politician in Europe when sworn in 2020.Belgium
Petra De SutterDeputy Prime Minister of Belgium2020–2025GroenLesbian Trans womanEurope's first transgender deputy prime minister, and the most senior trans politician in Europe when sworn in 2020.Belgium
Tessa GansererMember of Landtag of Bavaria2013–2021The GreensTrans womanRepresenting Middle Franconia. Came out as trans in 2018, becoming the first openly transgender person in a German state or federal parliament.Germany
Tessa GansererMP of Bundestag2021–2025Alliance 90/The GreensTrans womanRepresenting Bavaria, and because her government records remain unchanged, she was forced to appear on the ballot under her deadname.Germany
Lilian HaakMunicipal councillor for Apeldoorn2018–Trans womanOne of first four transgender councillors elected, in the Netherlands, in 2018, with the others being Michelle van Doorn, Sophie Schers, and Corine van Dun, and transitioned in 2014.Netherlands
Felix RedaMEP2014–2019Pirate PartyTrans womanTransitioned after leaving office, coming out as trans in January 2022.Germany
Christian SchenkMP of Bundestag1990–2002Independent Women's Association PartyTrans manTransitioned after leaving office.Germany
Christian SchenkMP of Bundestag1990–2002Party of Democratic SocialismTrans manTransitioned after leaving office.Germany
Sophie SchersMunicipal councillor for Utrecht2018–2022GroenLinksTrans womanDescribed herself, prior to her election, as a "lesbian trans person." On her website, she calls herself "a transgender activist and feminist,"Netherlands
Nyke SlawikMP of Bundestag2021–Alliance 90/The GreensTrans womanRepresenting North Rhine-Westphalia and she was, along with Tessa Ganserer, the first trans elected representatives to enter the Bundestag.Germany
Michelle van DoornMunicipal councillor for Nijmegen2018–Party for the AnimalsTrans womanLeader of the Party for the Animals electoral list when elected.Netherlands
Municipal councillor for Utrecht2018–Democrats 66Trans womanOne of first four transgender councillors.Netherlands
Lisa van GinnekenMember of the House of Representatives2021–2023Democrats 66Trans womanFirst transgender person to be elected into the Dutch House of Representatives, where she is her party's spokesperson for IT, privacy, family law, and mobility.Netherlands

Northern America

This is a partial list of notable firsts, organized chronologically. For a full list in of those elected the U.S., see the main article.
NameOffice heldTenurePolitical partyIdentityNotesCountry
Estefan Cortes-VargasMLA of Legislative Assembly of Alberta2015–2019New Democratic PartyNon-binary and transgenderRepresented Strathcona-Sherwood Park. First openly trans, non-binary, queer MLA in Canada.Canada
Lyra EvansOttawa-Carleton District School Board Trustee2018Trans womanFirst openly transgender school trustee in Canada and previously a candidate for member of provincial parliament in Ontario.Canada
Amita KuttnerInterim Leader of Green Party of Canada2021–2022Non-binary, trans, and pansexualFirst transgender person and first person of East Asian descent to lead a federal party in Canada, who is non-binary and a pansexual astrophysicist.Canada
Julie LemieuxMayor of Très-Saint-Rédempteur, Quebec2013–Trans womanFirst openly transgender mayor in Canada.Canada
Sarah McBrideRepresentative for Delaware, United States House of Representatives2024–Democratic PartyTrans womanFirst transgender member of the US Congress and highest elected officeholder in the United States. Previously elected to the Delaware Senate in 2020, McBride is also the first transgender state senator in United States history.United States
Joanne Marie ConteCouncilor of Arvada, Colorado City Council1991–1995N/A, IndependentTrans womanPerhaps the first openly transgender person to elected to public office in the U.S.United States
Logan OxenhamLegislator of Legislative Assembly of Manitoba2023–New Democratic Party of ManitobaTrans manCanada's first transgender politician elected to either a provincial, territorial or federal elected office.Canada
Danica RoemLegislator of Virginia House of Delegates2024–Democratic PartyTrans womanFirst openly transgender person to be elected and serve in a state legislature. When Roem was elected to the Virginia Senate, she became the first transgender person to be elected and serve in both houses of a state legislature in the U.S. and the first transgender state senator in the Southern United States.United States
James RoesenerLegislator of New Hampshire House of Representatives2022–Democratic PartyBisexual Trans manFirst openly transgender man elected to a state legislature in 2022.United States
Teri WesterbySchool Board Trustee of Chilliwack2022Trans manFirst openly transgender person elected in British Columbia.Canada

Oceania

NameOffice heldTenurePolitical partyIdentityNotesCountry
Georgina BeyerCouncil member of Carterton District Council1993New Zealand Labour Party Trans womanNew Zealand
Georgina BeyerMayor of Carterton1995–2000New Zealand Labour Party Trans womanWorld's first openly transgender mayor.New Zealand
Georgina BeyerMP of New Zealand Parliament1999–2005New Zealand Labour Party Trans womanRepresenting Wairarapa and world's first openly transgender member of parliament.New Zealand
Jade DarkoCouncilor of Clarence City Council2022Green PartyTrans womanFirst trans woman to have a seat on a council in Tasmania.Australia
Jax FoxCouncilor of Hobart City Council2018–2022IndependentNon-binary Trans womanFirst elected political officeholder in Tasmania to be openly non-binary and transgender. Described themselves as an "out and proud nonbinary queer" and noted their dead name.Australia
Jacquie GrantCouncillor of Grey District1998–2004Trans womanLater became "Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit" in 2018.New Zealand
Paige JohnsonCouncilor of Newcastle City Council2024Labor PartyTrans womanFirst openly transgender councilor for Newcastle.Australia

Latin America and the Caribbean

Southern Cone

NameOffice heldTenurePolitical partyIdentityNotesCountry
Zuliana ArayaCouncilor of Valparaíso2012–2016Party for DemocracyTrans womanChile's first trans city council member.Chile
Zuliana ArayaCouncilor of Valparaíso2016–2020Party for DemocracyTrans womanChile's first trans city council member.Chile
Alejandra González PinoCouncilor of Lampa2004–2016IndependentTrans womanFirst elected transgender politician in Chile.Chile
Alejandra González PinoCouncilor of Lampa2004–2016Humanist Party Trans womanFirst elected transgender politician in Chile.Chile
Mara Pérez ReynosoDiversity Area Chief of Argentina Ministry of Security2016Republican ProposalTrans womanFirst transgender public official in Argentina's government.Argentina
Alba RuedaUndersecretary of Diversity Policies of Argentina Ministry of Women, Genders and Diversity2020–2022Frente de Todos Trans womanFirst openly transgender politician in Argentina to hold a senior governmental position.Argentina
Emilia SchneiderMP of Chamber of Deputies2022–ComunesTrans womanRepresents District 10 and first openly transgender person to be elected to the Chamber of Deputies.Chile
Emilia SchneiderMP of Chamber of Deputies2022–Social Convergence Trans womanRepresents District 10 and first openly transgender person to be elected to the Chamber of Deputies.Chile
Michelle Suárez BértoraMP of General Assembly of Uruguay2014–2017Trans womanFirst openly transgender person elected to office in Uruguay.Uruguay
Michelle Suárez BértoraSenator of Senate of Uruguay2017–2018Trans womanThe first openly transgender senator in the nation's history, and resigned in 2017 following a criminal investigation finding her guilty of forging legal documents while working as an attorney.Uruguay
Sandra Edith "Tía Gaucha" TancrediCouncilor of Escobar, Buenos Aires Province2022–2025Trans womanFirst trans councilwoman in ArgentinaArgentina

Andean States

NameOffice heldTenurePolitical partyIdentityNotesCountry
París GalánLegislator of La Paz Departmental Legislative Assembly2015–2021Sovereignty and Liberty Trans man and Non-binaryOne of just two queer people and the second gay man in Bolivia to have held political office as a lawmaker, after.Bolivia
Matilda GonzalezSecretary of Women's and Gender Equality for Manizales2020Trans womanHer appointment was celebrated by supporters of LGBTQ rights, but opposed by conservative groups, who demanded her resignation.Colombia
Diane Marie Rodríguez ZambranoAlternate member of National Assembly2017–2021PAIS AllianceTrans womanRepresented Guayas Province and first trans member of the National Assembly of Ecuador.Ecuador
Luisa RevillaCouncillor of La Esperanza2015–2018Movimiento Regional para el Desarrollo con Seguridad y HonradezTrans womanIn Trujillo Province and celebrated with her election making history.Peru