TL;DR
- Precious Brady-Davis is a trailblazer in Illinois politics.
- She could become the first Black transgender member of Congress.
- Brady-Davis has a history of activism and advocacy.
- Her journey includes significant personal and professional milestones.
- Political figures support her potential congressional run.
Could America finally elect its first Black transgender member of Congress? The spotlight is on Precious Brady-Davis, a groundbreaking Illinois official whose political journey is nothing short of extraordinary. As the only Black trans person currently holding public office in the United States, Brady-Davis has already made history and is poised to make even more.
Brady-Davis, who has captivated hearts and minds, first gained national attention as the first transgender bride featured on TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress.” But her accomplishments don’t stop there. Along with her husband, she became the first transgender parents in Illinois history to have their accurate genders listed on their children’s birth certificates. As she puts it, “This idea of, ‘I won’t be erased,’ that’s something that brewed in my childhood.” It’s this fierce determination that drives her forward.
Currently serving on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Brady-Davis is juggling budgets and managing wastewater while eyeing a potential congressional run. “For now, my focus is on being effective at the local level — but I’ve thought about how that work could expand to have a broader impact on issues like the environment, LGBTQ rights, and education,” she said, hinting at her ambitions.
Her political rise has not gone unnoticed. Tracy Baim, co-founder of the Windy City Times, believes in her potential, stating, “There’s no doubt in my mind she has the qualifications.” Brady-Davis’s journey has been marked by resilience, having faced challenges from a young age, including a traumatic experience at a Pentecostal youth retreat where she was told she was not a woman. This only fueled her fight for acceptance and inclusion.
Brady-Davis’s activism began in earnest while working at Chicago’s Center on Halsted, where she advocated for LGBTQ+ youth of color. “I advocated for those young people the best I could,” she recalled, reflecting on her first political test. Her commitment to activism led her to work with the Sierra Club, where she battled against environmental injustices, proving that her advocacy extends beyond LGBTQ+ issues.
Her personal life is just as inspiring. After a chance meeting with Myles Brady, who would become her husband, their love story blossomed amidst their shared experiences as transgender individuals. “Myles and I have shown that two trans people can love each other and that we are worthy of love,” she shared, emphasizing the importance of representation in relationships.
Brady-Davis’s journey has not just been about personal milestones; it has also been about paving the way for future generations. The couple’s advocacy led to a significant policy change in Illinois, allowing them to be recognized as their true selves on their children’s birth certificates. “I’m proud of the ways in which I’m parenting my girls to be a part of a world that I hope is more inclusive, diverse,” she said.
As she gears up for her reelection bid, Brady-Davis is not just focused on local politics. With support from political figures like Rep. Sarah McBride, who made history as the first trans person elected to Congress, the sky seems to be the limit for Brady-Davis. “It was personally meaningful to walk these halls with a trailblazer whose story is only just beginning,” McBride remarked.
With her eyes set on a broader impact, Precious Brady-Davis is not just making waves in Illinois politics; she’s on the verge of breaking barriers on a national level. As we watch her journey unfold, one thing is clear: she is a force to be reckoned with, and her story is just beginning.