African American Transexual in the White House

2010-01-20T19:52:35Z

It seems America is moving alot closer to accepting the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Queer) community. Back in November, Helena Bushong, a Transgender Activist from Illinois Gender Advocates, became the first African American transgendered woman in the White House and the second Transexual ever. The Chicago-based transgender advocate, joined HIV experts in December as the first transgender representative to attend a White House National Strategy Meeting back.

Bushong received an email from Jeff Crowley, Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy at the White Hoouse to the "Women and HIV," and it changed her world.

"As my colleague continued to read (the email), tears came to my eyes - this was real! A female transgendered person was being invited to the table at the White House to help develop a National HIV/AIDS Strategy regarding Women and HIV," Bushong wrote.

Bushong joined experts on HIV/AIDS, including women with HIV, policy makers, community-based service providers, civil rights lawyers, and researchers. The participants examined approaches to HIV prevention and integrated care, disparities, and related issues to inform the national HIV/AIDS strategy.

Bushong is the current Chair of Illinois Gender Advocates, Community Co-Chair for the HIV Prevention Planning Group, a member of Mayor Daley's Chicago Area HIV Service Planning Council, an advocate with the Chicago AIDS Foundation, and a member of Illinois ASAP.

Congrats, Helena! This is epic!

Read Helena's personal account of how it feels to be in the White House: A Tranny Girl Goes To The White House

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African American Transexual in the White House