Emma Curtis talks about her newly chosen role

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – Tuesday night, Emma Curtis learned she will be the next council member on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. She was at Greyline Station and saw the results coming in.

In her remarks Tuesday, she said, “I couldn’t see a transgender person standing up here in my community, being themselves and succeeding.”

Curtis is also the first transgender person to play the role. On Wednesday, she said she didn’t set out to be the first, just to serve the community that holds a special place in her heart.

“When I was a young person in the difficult position that many transgender people find themselves in – of not having access to safe and affordable housing – I came and crashed with my friends Erin and Jessica in the Fourth Municipal District. Right after I graduated and started with the transition. The community and the welcoming aspect of it changed my life forever,” says Curtis.

She has been an advocate for the community and LGBTQ for some time. Now she says she looks forward to representing the 4th District as an example and being a voice for people in the community.

Curtis says, “So I hope I can provide some of that visibility to some of the kids who were dealt one blow after another by discriminatory politicians who tried to tell them everything they could and couldn’t be. But I hope they knowing that they have a home here in Lexington and a future here in Lexington.”

Curtis explains that her campaign started after she lost a close friend last December. They died after being struck in a crosswalk on Nicholasville Road. Curtis wants to address roads, safety, affordable housing and more. She says she wants to improve living conditions here in Fayette County.

“It’s important to me to stand up and advocate for Lexington because no matter what happens at the state level, no matter what happens at the national level, here in Lexington we can show that we love our neighbors and we treat others the way we want to be treated. ,” says Curtis.