Stephanie Byers: First Trans Native American Elected to Statewide Office
History was made in Kansas last night and Im genuinely surprised more people arent talking about it. Like this should be everywhere and instead its getting buried under all the other election chaos. Stephanie Byers, a retired music teacher from Wichita, just became the first transgender Native American person ever elected to a state legislature in this country. Let that sink in for a second. First. Ever. In the entire history of the United States.
Byers won the 86th District seat in the Kansas House with 54.4% of the vote against Republican Cyndi Howerton. Thats not even close honestly. A nearly 10 point margin. In a purple district. In Kansas of all places – not exactly known for being a progressive stronghold. A transgender Native American woman beat her opponent decisively in the heartland and I think thats worth celebrating regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum because its just objectively remarkable.
The LGBTQ Victory Fund called it “shattering a lavender ceiling” and yeah I think thats accurate. Thats exactly what this is. As NBC News reported, Byers is also a member of the Chickasaw Nation, making her victory doubly historic. Two firsts in one person, one election, one remarkable Tuesday night in November. Given how trans people are often treated in this country – the discrimination, the violence, the constant political attacks – this win means something profound.
Who Is Stephanie Byers Anyway
Before politics, Byers spent 29 years – nearly three decades – teaching music at Wichita North High School. She wasnt some career politician looking for the next rung on the ladder. She was a band teacher. Someone who spent her professional life helping kids learn to play instruments, marching in formation, performing at football games and concerts. The kind of person who shapes communities one student at a time without ever getting famous for it.
She came out as transgender in 2014 and said her students and school community were “overwhelmingly supportive.” Which honestly restores some faith in humanity because you hear so many horror stories about trans people losing everything when they come out. But here was this educator in Kansas, surrounded by teenagers – not exactly known for their sensitivity – and they accepted her. In 2018 she won the GLSEN National Educator of the Year award for her advocacy work, recognition that she was making a difference beyond just her classroom.
What strikes me about her campaign is that she didnt run as The Trans Candidate with her identity front and center. She ran on education funding, healthcare expansion, broadband access – bread and butter issues that affect everyone in her district regardless of their gender identity or political party. Her identity was part of who she is, obviously, but it wasnt her entire platform. She was running to serve all constituents not just ones who looked like her.
“We’ve done something in Kansas most people thought would never happen,” Byers told the Wichita Eagle on election night. “And we did it with really no push-back, by just focusing on the issues.” Imagine that. Focus on what matters to regular people and they might just vote for you even if youre different from what theyre used to.
What This Actually Means Going Forward
Look I try not to get too sappy in these pieces – thats not really my thing – but representation genuinely matters. Trans people, especially trans people of color, face discrimination and violence at horrifying rates. The statistics are genuinely grim if you spend any time looking at them. Seeing someone like you hold elected office – actually winning decisively in a state not exactly known for progressive politics – that changes how people see whats possible for their own lives.
Byers said she hopes her win helps other trans folks realize “they are people who matter, they are people who are important and they’re people who can be successful in their lives.” Hard to argue with that sentiment. If a trans Native American woman can win a state house seat in Kansas, what other barriers are less solid than we thought? What other assumptions about electability need to be reconsidered?
The cynics will say one state rep doesnt change anything. And sure, shes one vote in a legislative body dominated by the other party. But symbols matter. Firsts matter. The first person to do something makes it easier for the second and third and hundredth. Thats how change actually happens – one ceiling shattered at a time until the whole building looks different.
