The White House announced Tuesday that
it has appointed its first openly transgender official.
Raffi Freedman-Gurspan will serve as
Outreach and Recruitment Director for Presidential Personnel in the
White House Office of Presidential Personnel.
Freedman-Gurspan formerly worked at the
National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE).
“Raffi Freedman-Gurspan demonstrates
the kind of leadership this administration champions,” said
Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Barack Obama.
“Her commitment to bettering the lives of transgender Americans,
particularly transgender people of color and those in poverty,
reflect the values of this administration.”
Mara Keisling, executive director of
NCTE, lauded Freedman-Gurspan's appointment.
“I am elated that Raffi
Freedman-Gurspan will become the first openly transgender staff
member at the White House,” Keisling said in a written statement.
“That the first transgender appointee is a transgender woman of
color is itself significant.”