White House breaking barriers; hires first transgender person

Paulina Gallardo, Reporter

  • Awareness of gender gaps and issues. We have to empower ourselves to be better.”

Do you think this story will impact and open new doors for people?

  • “Yes! Having the first transgender is a great step and it will bring interest to people. Her name is Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, the first openly transgender appointed by President Obama to work at the White House. She’s now a recruitment director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. The LGBT community is calling Freedman-Gurspan a role model and part of the empowerment movement that’s striving towards equality for all the LGBT.

The story of this woman has impacted many. Including the Feminist Empowerment club, at our school. The leader of the F.E.N club, Audrey Ibarra, gave us her personal opinion on this inspirational story.

What are your thoughts on Freedman-Gurspan’s story?

  • “I think it’s really interesting. It’s about time everyone has equal opportunity. But to see it be in the White House is pretty amazing.”

Do you think Freedman-Gurspan will face discrimination?

  • “Yes, of course. The majority of the people in White House are white males. There isn’t much minority or diversity, so discrimination is bound to happen.”

What does this show about society and our world today?

  • “ It shows a lot, but most importantly it shows our progression as a country. It shows that we came a long way. From electing the first African-American president to the first transgender, I’m surprised it took us this long.”

What part do you think gender plays in the world?

  • “Gender issues are not only at school, but in the world too. We should promote and will encourage them to be themselves, they can accomplish anything.”

Freedman-Gurspan will not be the last to accomplish something this big. The United States is growing with people uniting to fight gender and racial issues. Freedman-Gurspan is an inspiration to many people, not only to the LGBT community.