Taylor Small
Taylor Small (born March 26, 1994) is an American politician. She was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in the 2020 general election after the incumbent Diana Gonzalez retired and will be the state's first openly transgender legislator, and the fifth in the nation.[1][2] She ran on both the Democratic ticket and Vermont Progressive Party ticket and won with 41% of the vote.[3][4]
Taylor Small | |
|---|---|
 Small in 2020 | |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from the Chittenden 6-7 district | |
| Assumed office January 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Diana Gonzalez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 26, 1994 Maine |
| Political party | |
| Alma mater | University of Vermont (BSc) |
| Website | Campaign website |
She is the Director of the Health and Wellness program at Pride Center of Vermont and has worked with the Vermont Department of Health. Prior to that, she worked in mental health at Howard Center and Northwestern Counseling and Support Services and supported homeless and runaway youth with Spectrum Youth and Family Services. Through her drag persona, Nikki Champagne, along with her colleague, Emoji Nightmare, she has promoted local libraries and youth literacy and hosted fundraisers to help support Vermont’s non-profit organizations.[5][6][7]
Early life
Small was born in Maine to Canadian parents. She lived in Johnson, Vermont, and then Western Massachusetts as a child.[3] She returned to Vermont with her mother upon her parents' divorce and attended Colchester High School and Burlington Technical Center. She then went on to graduate from the University of Vermont in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Sexuality and Gender Identity Studies.[7][8]
Personal life
Small lives with her partner, Carsen, and their dogs, Theobroma and Charlie.[7]
References
- Sprayregan, Molly (November 3, 2020). "Taylor Small will be Vermont's first out transgender legislator". Retrieved November 3, 2020.
- Riedel, Samantha (September 4, 2020). "Vermont's First Trans State Representative Is Fighting For Her Community". Them. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
- Hallenbeck, Brent (November 4, 2020). "Taylor Small wins House seat to become first openly transgender member of Vermont Legislature". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
- "Vermont gets state's 1st openly transgender legislator". Associated Press. November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
- "Meet Our Team". Pride Center of VT. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
- Wakefield, Lily (November 4, 2020). "Taylor Small, tireless LGBT+ champion and sickening drag queen, makes history as her state's first trans lawmaker". PinkNews. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
- "About". Taylor Small for State Rep. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
- Elletson, Grace (August 9, 2020). "Winooski candidate Taylor Small looks to become state's first openly trans lawmaker". VT Digger. Retrieved November 3, 2020.