White House gets first transgender full-time member of staff

Washington, Aug 19: The White House has hired the first openly transgender full time member of staff, said officials.

Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, a former policy adviser at the National Center for Transgender Equality, has been appointed as an outreach and recruitment director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, reported CNN.

Appointment of Gurspan has been lauded by community leaders and advocates. They also called Freedman-Gurspan a role model, praising her work to empower members of the LGBT community.

"President Obama has long said he wants his administration to look like the American people. I have understood this to include transgender Americans," NCTE Executive Director Mara Keisling said.

"That the first transgender appointee is a transgender woman of color is itself significant. And that the first White House transgender appointee is of a friend is inspiring to me and to countless others who have been touched by Raffi's advocacy."

Appointment of Raffi Freedman-Gurspan is one of several steps taken by the Obama administration to show support for the LGBT community.

"Raffi Freedman-Gurspan demonstrates the kind of leadership this administration champions," said Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to the President. "Her commitment to bettering the lives of transgender Americans, particularly transgender people of color and those in poverty, reflects the values of this administration."

OneIndia News