Emma Curtis

Emma Lee Curtis (born July 30, 1996) is an American politician, activist, and filmmaker from Kentucky. In 2024, she was elected to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, representing the 4th District. Curtis assumed office on January 6, 2025. Curtis is the first openly transgender person to serve on the Urban County Council in Lexington and the second transgender public official in Kentucky.

Early life and education

Curtis was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and raised on her family's tobacco and cattle farm in Woodford County. She graduated from Woodford County High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Centre College, a private liberal arts college in Danville, Kentucky, in 2018.

Career and activism

After college, Curtis pursued a career as an independent filmmaker, focusing on stories highlighting the experiences of individuals in central Kentucky. She additionally became a dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and increased civic engagement. Curtis has been actively involved with organizations such as CivicLex, the Lexington Forum, and the Fayette Women's Network, which aim to enhance civic health and community involvement in Lexington.

Senate Bill 150

In 2023, Curtis gained national attention for her activism against Kentucky's Senate Bill 150, a legislative measure that imposed restrictions on discussions of sexuality and pronoun use in classrooms and banned gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Her testimony against the bill went viral, amplifying her voice as a leading advocate for transgender rights in the state. In remarks shared by the Kentucky branch of the ACLU, Curtis shared how gender-affirming care saved her life, after she felt social pressure and stigma to detransition, an experience that led to a suicide attempt.

After Senate Bill 150 became Kentucky law, Curtis and her family joined the families of other transgender people in Kentucky in a lawsuit against the bill. In December 2024, Curtis joined the ACLU and other activists outside the Supreme Court as arguments were held in United States v. Skrmetti, a case deciding the lawfulness of gender-affirming care for minors.

Woman A

In the summer of 2024, the Kentucky state Legislative Research Commission put Representative Daniel Grossberg under investigation after a number of allegations came to light accusing Grossberg of inappropriate interactions with women. Grossberg was later removed from his committee assignments. In September 2024, Curtis came forward as "Woman A", publicly naming herself as one of the victims of Daniel Grossberg's conduct. Curtis claimed that the legislator pressured her to drink alcohol and "drunkenly interrogated me about my genitals and sex life". The day after Curtis's statement ran in the ''Herald-Leader'', the Kentucky House Democratic caucus voted to expel Grossberg from the caucus and called for his resignation.

Political career

In June 2023, Curtis announced her candidacy for the 93rd District seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Her campaign, contesting a special election to succeed Lamin Swann was historic, as she sought to become the first openly transgender state legislator in Kentucky. Curtis unveiled a platform focused on affordable housing, improving public education, reproductive justice, and workers’ rights, specifically aiming to repeal "right to work" laws. The Curtis campaign quickly raised $10,000 in donations in the first week, and she was considered a front-runner for the Democratic nomination. Kentucky Democrats later selected Adrielle Camuel to run for the seat. Camuel's selection caused controversy as she was a member of the nomination committee. After Camuel's selection, Curtis endorsed and campaigned for Camuel. In September 2023, Curtis rescinded her support for Camuel, after concerns of Camuel's language and behavior on trans-rights issues. After Curtis and 11 other transgender Kentucky leaders wrote an open letter to Camuel condemning her remarks, Camuel issued a formal apology.

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council

In January 2024, Curtis announced her candidacy for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council's 4th District seat. Curtis campaigned on a platform advocating for a more inclusive society for all residents of Lexington. Her campaign focused on issues such as improving road safety, addressing affordable housing, and enhancing government transparency. In the November 2024 general election, Curtis defeated incumbent Brenda Monarrez, securing 51.8% of the vote. Her victory made her the first openly transgender person elected to the Urban County Council in Lexington and the second transgender public official in Kentucky, following Rebecca Blankenship.

Late night television host John Oliver mentioned Curtis's electoral victory on his show Last Week Tonight. " en amid the GOP's massive anti-trans ad campaign, on Tuesday, ..at least 35 transgender and gender-expansive candidates won races in places like Montana, Hawaii and Kentucky, where Emma Curtis was elected to the exington-Fayette Urban County Council and that is a big deal," Oliver said on his show's first episode after the 2024 general election.

On January 12, 2025, Curtis was sworn in as a council member for the 2025-2026 legislative session. She has expressed that her presence in public office serves as an inspiration for young transgender individuals, demonstrating that they have a place and a voice in their communities.

2026 State Legislative Election

In March 2025, just three months into her first term as a city councilor, Curtis sparked speculation that she would seek a seat in the Kentucky General Assembly the following year. "In January of 2027, when the legislature gavels in, my promise to you is that we are finally going to have trans representation on the floor of our General Assembly, taking the Oath of Office, ready to hold the line and fight for all of us in Kentucky," Curtis said at the "Trans Day of Joy" in the Kentucky State Capitol on March 27.

See also

* LGBTQ rights in Kentucky

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Curtis, Emma
Living people
People from Lexington, Kentucky
American transgender politicians
1996 births
American women activists
Women city councillors in Kentucky
LGBTQ people from Kentucky