Diego Sanchez Is First Openly Transgender Person To Hold Congressional Office In Washington

Diego Sanchez, who currently acts as director of public relations and external affairs for the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, has been tapped to take on the role of legislative assistant to Congressman Barney Frank. He will be the first openly transgender person to hold congressional office in Washington.

Besides working on issues concerning the GLBT community, Sanchez will also aid Frank in the areas of healthcare, labor, the U.S. Census and veterans’ rights and benefits.

Some groups and GLBT bloggers are wary of Sanchez’s appointment, voicing a concern as to whether it is meant to act as a shield to “deflect future trans criticism.”

Says Sanchez:

“My decision though to join the legislative staff of Congressman Frank was compelling, and it is certainly a most exciting time to be focused on the matters of our country and doing that in the nation’s capital.”

His main focus, he said, will be the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and hate crimes legislation:

“I believe that the opportunity for impact is one-on-one, and Barney has consistently said that the most important part of getting an inclusive ENDA passed is getting people to meet with their representatives. I think what this does is give us an extra opportunity. … What I envision in my head is I will find it most interesting to sit with someone and have them tell me why they think I’m less than human and why they think my community should be treated as less than equal.”

Does anyone else think that echoes the treatment of certain Latinos in this country as well?

Mr. Sanchez goes to Washington [Bay Windows via Blabbeando]