Vermont's First Trans State Lawmaker Gets Engaged at White House
Taylor Small, the first out transgender state legislator in Vermont, had something extra to celebrate at President Joe Biden’s signing of the Respect for Marriage Act Tuesday — she got a marriage proposal from her partner of four years, Carsen Russell.“I, of course, said YES and could not think of a more fitting way to celebrate this moment,” Small tweeted along with pictures of her and Russell on the White House South Lawn.
Her post was headlined “We’re officially en-GAY-ged!” Small, from Winooski, was elected to the Vermont House of Representatives in 2020, when she was only 26, and was reelected this year.
She is a Democrat and is also affiliated with the Vermont Progressive Party. She has worked for nonprofit organizations, including the state’s Pride Center.
She has often performed under the drag persona Nikki Champagne and helped lead drag queen story hours.The Respect for Marriage Act will assure that the federal government continues to recognize same-sex and interracial marriages even if the Supreme Court reverses its rulings that legalized these unions nationwide.
