Tyler Titus Just Became The First Transgender Elected Official In Pennsylvania History

Tyler Titus was elected to the Erie School Board last night, the first out trans person to win an election in Pennsylvania.

The 33-year-old father of two, a youth advocate and school counselor, actually won the Democratic nomination in May as a write-in candidate. He’ll take one of four open seats in the Erie School Board.



“Tyler Titus shattered a lavender ceiling in Pennsylvania today,” said Victory Fund president Aisha C. Moodie-Mills. “His victory will resonate well-beyond state boundaries. Trans people remain severely underrepresented in our politics and government, and now more than ever we need trans voices like Tyler’s in the halls of power.”



More than half of the 71 openly LGBT candidates won their races yesterday, including a number of high-profile trans candidates: In California, Lisa Middleton won a seat on the Palm Springs City Council, while in Virginia Danica Roem defeated transphobic Republican incumbent Bob Marshall to become the first trans candidate elected to a state legislature. Andrea Jenkins earned a seat on the Minneapolis City Council, the first trans woman of color to win elected office.

“This is a historic night for trans candidates across the country,” said Moodie-Mills. “Tyler is part of a vanguard of leaders who are determined to be part of the conversation on issues that affect their lives.”

Dr. Rachel Levine, a trans woman, was appointed as the Pennsylvania’s Physician General in 2015.