Joey Garrison

USA Today Network - Tennessee

In a week in which transgender issues have been debated nationally, an apparent first for Tennessee occurred on Tuesday when a transgender woman was appointed to a local government commission.

Nashville's Metro Council on Tuesday confirmed all 20 of Mayor Megan Barry’s board nominations and reappointments, including voting unanimously to appoint Marisa Richmond to the Metro Human Relations Commission.

That made Richmond not only the first transgender person in Nashville’s history to be named to a local government board or commission — but the first in the entire state, according to the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition. Her commission term expires in three years.

Richmond, a Nashville resident and professor in the history department at Middle Tennessee State University, is a former president of the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition. She has since lobbied for the group at the state level after departing the leadership post.

“Marisa Richmond is a dedicated community leader who is a champion for equality and has been at the forefront of the discussion over transgender rights in Nashville and Tennessee,” Barry, a Democrat, said in a statement. “She will be a strong voice on the Metro Human Relations Commission for making sure Nashville remains a warm and welcoming city for all.”

The 17-member human relations commission oversees the human relations department, which is tasked with resolving discrimination complaints and carrying out educational programs in a number of areas. Richmond was one of four new human relations commission appointments approved on Tuesday.

“I was thrilled and I was honored,” Richmond said of the distinction. “I think it’s the right step in the right direction for Nashville.

“Especially in contrast to what the state is doing — Nashville and the rest of the country is moving forward even as the state is refusing to,” Richmond said. “I think it’s a real positive development for Nashville.”

Richmond’s board confirmation came less than one week after President Barack Obama issued a sweeping national directive for schools to allow students to use restrooms that match their gender identity. His directive followed passage of a new law in North Carolina that seeks to regulate which restrooms transgender students are to use at school and other public facilities.

Many Republican lawmakers in the GOP-controlled Tennessee state legislature — which had considered similar legislation that targeted only schools — have criticized Obama’s move and are weighing a special session to consider possible action.

In contrast Nashville’s left-leaning Metro Council will soon take up legislation to broaden exceptions for private businesses to have unisex restrooms, which are allowed in Nashville only under certain circumstances based on the size of the establishment.

Reach Joey Garrison at 615-259-8236 and on Twitter @joeygarrison.