Wed. August 19, 2015
Washington, D.C. -
The White House announced Tuesday that it has appointed its first openly transgender official.
Raffi Freedman-Gurspan will serve as Outreach and Recruitment Director for Presidential Personnel in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel.
Freedman-Gurspan formerly worked at the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE).
"Raffi Freedman-Gurspan demonstrates the kind of leadership this administration champions," said Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to the President Barack Obama."Her commitment to bettering the lives of transgender Americans, particularly transgender people of color and those in poverty, reflect the values of this administration."
Mara Keisling, executive director of NCTE, lauded Freedman-Gurspan's appointment.
"I am elated that Raffi Freedman-Gurspan will become the first openly transgender staff member at the White House," Keisling said in a written statement."That the first transgender appointee is a transgender woman of color is itself significant."
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