She's A Lone Star: Texas Mayor Comes Out as Transgender (Video)

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She's A Lone Star: Texas Mayor Comes Out as Transgender 
Jess Herbst, the state's first transgender state official, led her first town council meeting Tuesday as her authentic self, and says she's been well-received in her conservative Texas town.
 Dawn Ennis
          
          Feb 01, 2017
          
        
Dawn Ennis
The Advocate's news editor Dawn Ennis successfully transitioned from broadcast journalism to online media following another transition that made headlines; in 2013, she became the first trans staffer in any major TV network newsroom. As the first out transgender editor at The Advocate, the native New Yorker continues her 30-year media career, in which she has earned more than a dozen awards, including two Emmys. With the blessing of her three children, Dawn retains the most important job title she's ever held: Dad.
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She's A Lone Star: Texas Mayor Comes Out as Transgender

Jess Herbst, the state's first transgender state official, led her first town council meeting Tuesday as her authentic self, and says she's been well-received in her conservative Texas town.

The Latest

Virginia Republican names bill for swimmer whose fifth-place tie with trans athlete launched lucrative career

Rep. John McGuire’s proposed Riley Gaines Act would allow athletes to sue colleges that permit transgender women to compete in women’s sports.

New Hampshire House advances transgender bathroom bill, breaking with New England

The Republican-led legislation places the state increasingly out of step with the rest of New England on trans rights.

Darrell Issa’s retirement opens Palm Springs–area House race for queer Democrats

The longtime California Republican congressman is packing it up.

From abomination to somebody: What Jesse Jackson meant to Black queer boys in the Back pew

A queer Black writer reflects on Rev. Jesse Jackson’s evolving relationship with LGBTQ+ people — and what it meant for those of us raised in the Black church.

LGBTQ+ stories deserve to betold.

Joe Rogan admits straight men are the real danger to women — then blames trans women anyway

Iowa House Republicans pass a bill that will make the lives of transgender residents worse

Renowned transgender medicine surgeon defends appearing in Epstein files disclosures

This trans teacher has no choice but to leave Florida: 'I can't defend myself'

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D.C. federal judge signals urgency as trans service members push for Trump military ban trial

New York AG orders major medical center to resume gender-affirming care for youth

Indiana community settles with transphobic teacher for $650,000

Tennessee lawmakers weigh a dozen new Republican anti-LGBTQ+ bills

Most Popular

Kristi Noem is a cautionary tale for white gay Republicans

Opinion: Proximity to (and even building) misogynistic machinery will not protect you, writes contributor Josh Ackley.

10 of the sexiest music videos that gagged everyone in 2025

These celebrities brought the sex appeal in their steamy videos this year.

Gay professional gamer detained by ICE fears deportation to Cameroon, where homosexuality is illegal

Ludovic Mbock’s Maryland family is worried that he will be sent to a country where homosexuality is illegal.

The incredible story of a gay interracial love affair in the midst of WWII

When Reed Peggram met Arne Hauptmann in Paris in 1939, neither could have imagined their love would carry them through imprisonment, escape, and survival behind enemy lines in wartime Italy.

Many alleged suicides of Black trans women are in fact modern-day lynchings, report finds

Jill Collen Jefferson, the founder of JULIAN, explains what happens when a transgender woman’s death is ruled a suicide and a community calls it something else.

Latest Stories

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She's A Lone Star: Texas Mayor Comes Out as Transgender

Jess Herbst, the state's first transgender state official, led her first town council meeting Tuesday as her authentic self, and says she's been well-received in her conservative Texas town.

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The Latest

Rep. John McGuire’s proposed Riley Gaines Act would allow athletes to sue colleges that permit transgender women to compete in women’s sports.

The Republican-led legislation places the state increasingly out of step with the rest of New England on trans rights.

The longtime California Republican congressman is packing it up.

A queer Black writer reflects on Rev. Jesse Jackson’s evolving relationship with LGBTQ+ people — and what it meant for those of us raised in the Black church.

LGBTQ+ stories deserve to betold.

More For You

Most Popular

Opinion: Proximity to (and even building) misogynistic machinery will not protect you, writes contributor Josh Ackley.

These celebrities brought the sex appeal in their steamy videos this year.

Ludovic Mbock’s Maryland family is worried that he will be sent to a country where homosexuality is illegal.

When Reed Peggram met Arne Hauptmann in Paris in 1939, neither could have imagined their love would carry them through imprisonment, escape, and survival behind enemy lines in wartime Italy.

Jill Collen Jefferson, the founder of JULIAN, explains what happens when a transgender woman’s death is ruled a suicide and a community calls it something else.

These are some of his worst comments about LGBTQ+ people made by Charlie Kirk.