:Emma Curtis
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Emma Curtis
| birth_date = July 30, 1996 (age 28)
| birth_place = Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
| office = Member of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council from the 4th District
| term_start = January 6, 2025
| predecessor = Brenda Monarrez
| education = Centre College (BA)
| occupation = Politician, activist, filmmaker
| image = Official Portrait of Councilmember Emma Curtis.jpg
}}
{{Short description|Kentucky transgender politician (born 1996)}}
Emma Lee Curtis (born July 30, 1996) is an American politician, activist, and filmmaker from Kentucky. In 2024, she was elected to the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, representing the 4th District. Curtis assumed office on January 6, 2025. Curtis is the first openly transgender person to serve on the Urban County Council in Lexington and the second transgender public official in Kentucky.{{Cite web |title=Emma Curtis |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Emma_Curtis |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}
Early life and education
Curtis was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and raised on her family's tobacco and cattle farm in Woodford County. She graduated from Woodford County High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Centre College, a private liberal arts college in Danville, Kentucky, in 2018.{{Cite web |title=Council District 4, Emma Curtis {{!}} City of Lexington, Kentucky |url=https://www.lexingtonky.gov/government/office-urban-county-council/councilmembers/council-district-4-emma-curtis |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=www.lexingtonky.gov |language=en}}
Career and activism
After college, Curtis pursued a career as an independent filmmaker, focusing on stories highlighting the experiences of individuals in central Kentucky. She additionally became a dedicated advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and increased civic engagement.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-07 |title=Emma Curtis talks about her newly elected role on the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council |url=https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/emma-curtis-talks-about-her-newly-elected-role-on-the-lexington-fayette-urban-county-council |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=LEX 18 News - Lexington, KY (WLEX) |language=en}} Curtis has been actively involved with organizations such as CivicLex, the Lexington Forum, and the Fayette Women's Network, which aim to enhance civic health and community involvement in Lexington.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-01 |title=LGBTQ+ activist Emma Curtis launches campaign to be first transgender legislator in Kentucky - Queer Kentucky |url=https://queerkentucky.com/lgbtq-activist-emma-curtis-launches-campaign-to-be-first-transgender-legislator-in-kentucky/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |language=en-US}}
= Senate Bill 150 =
In 2023, Curtis gained national attention for her activism against Kentucky's Senate Bill 150, a legislative measure that imposed restrictions on discussions of sexuality and pronoun use in classrooms and banned gender-affirming care for transgender minors.{{Cite web |title=23RS SB 150 |url=https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/23rs/sb150.html |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=apps.legislature.ky.gov}}{{Cite web |date=2023-07-14 |title=Kentucky's ban on gender-affirming care takes effect as federal judge lifts injunction |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/kentuckys-ban-on-gender-affirming-care-takes-effect-as-federal-judge-lifts-injunction |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=PBS News |language=en-us}} Her testimony against the bill went viral, amplifying her voice as a leading advocate for transgender rights in the state.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-21 |title=Doe v. Thornbury - Challenge to Transgender Health Care Ban {{!}} ACLU of Kentucky |url=https://www.aclu-ky.org/en/cases/doe-v-thornbury-challenge-trans-health-care-ban#:~:text=Senate%20Bill%20150,-The%20Kentucky%20General&text=This%20law%20prohibits%20essential%20medical,to%20enact%20anti-LGBTQ%20laws. |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=www.aclu-ky.org |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Horn |first=Austin |date=March 28, 2023 |title=Behind the scenes: How an effort to soften Kentucky's 'anti-trans' bill fell apart |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article273536370.html |work=Lexington Herald Leader}} In remarks shared by the Kentucky branch of the ACLU, Curtis shared how gender-affirming care saved her life, after she felt social pressure and stigma to detransition, an experience that led to a suicide attempt.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-07 |title=I Am Living Proof Gender-Affirming Care Saves Lives {{!}} ACLU of Kentucky |url=https://www.aclu-ky.org/en/news/i-am-living-proof-gender-affirming-care-saves-lives |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=www.aclu-ky.org |language=en}}
After Senate Bill 150 became Kentucky law, Curtis and her family joined the families of other transgender people in Kentucky in a lawsuit against the bill. In December 2024, Curtis joined the ACLU and other activists outside the Supreme Court as arguments were held in United States v. Skrmetti, a case deciding the lawfulness of gender-affirming care for minors.{{Cite web |title=Supreme Court hears case that could impact Kentucky law |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2024/12/04/supreme-court-ruling-kentucky-law- |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=spectrumnews1.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-04 |title=Kentucky Families and Civil Rights Groups Statement on US Supreme Court Oral Arguments in US v Skrmetti {{!}} ACLU of Kentucky |url=https://www.aclu-ky.org/en/press-releases/kentucky-families-and-civil-rights-groups-statement-us-supreme-court-oral-arguments |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=www.aclu-ky.org |language=en}}
= Woman A =
In the summer of 2024, the Kentucky state Legislative Research Commission put Representative Daniel Grossberg under investigation after a number of allegations came to light accusing Grossberg of inappropriate interactions with women.{{Cite news |last=Acquisto and Austin Horn |first=Alex |date=August 1, 2024 |title=Sources: KY representative under investigation for inappropriate interactions with women |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article290587889.html |work=Lexington Herald Leader}} Grossberg was later removed from his committee assignments.Horn, Austin (August 15, 2024). "[https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article291081935.html Rep. Daniel Grossberg removed from committees amid scrutiny of interactions with women]". Lexington Herald-Leader. In September 2024, Curtis came forward as "Woman A", publicly naming herself as one of the victims of Daniel Grossberg's conduct.Curtis, Emma (September 19, 2024). "[https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article291081935.html I'm one of Rep. Grossberg's victims. I don't want anyone else to suffer like I have]". Lexington Herald-Leader. {{Cite web |last=Pinski |first=Hannah |title=Grossberg lands seat on legislative committees, despite renewed calls for his resignation |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2025/01/08/daniel-grossberg-returns-to-general-assembly-amid-ethics-investigation/77428977007/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en-US}} Curtis claimed that the legislator pressured her to drink alcohol{{Cite web |title=State Rep. Daniel Grossberg's accusers go on the record |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2024/09/20/state-rep--daniel-grossberg-s-accusers-go-on-the-record |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=spectrumnews1.com |language=en}} and "drunkenly interrogated me about my genitals and sex life".{{Cite web |last=Davenport |first=Jane |date=2025-01-09 |title=City council member accuses KY legislator of sexual harassment |url=https://www.wtvq.com/city-council-member-accuses-ky-legislator-of-sexual-harassment/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=WTVQ |language=en-US}} The day after Curtis's statement ran in the Herald-Leader, the Kentucky House Democratic caucus voted to expel Grossberg from the caucus and called for his resignation.Horn, Austin; Acquisto, Alex (September 20, 2024). "Who all has called on Rep. Daniel Grossberg to resign? See the growing list". Lexington Herald-Leader.
Political career
In June 2023, Curtis announced her candidacy for the 93rd District seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Her campaign, contesting a special election to succeed Lamin Swann was historic, as she sought to become the first openly transgender state legislator in Kentucky.{{Cite web |last=Lucke |first=Jamie |date=2023-06-01 |title=Lexington Democrat kicks off campaign to become Kentucky's first transgender lawmaker • Kentucky Lantern |url=https://kentuckylantern.com/2023/06/01/lexington-democrat-kicks-off-campaign-to-become-kentuckys-first-transgender-lawmaker/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=Kentucky Lantern |language=en-US}} Curtis unveiled a platform focused on affordable housing, improving public education, reproductive justice, and workers’ rights, specifically aiming to repeal "right to work" laws.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-06-21 |title=Emma Curtis unveils progressive platform |url=https://lexingtonky.news/2023/06/21/emma-curtis-unveils-progressive-platform/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=The Lexington Times |language=en-US}} The Curtis campaign quickly raised $10,000 in donations in the first week, and she was considered a front-runner for the Democratic nomination.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-06-30 |title=In an Unexpected Turn, Adrielle Camuel Clinches Democratic Nomination for Kentucky's House District 93 |url=https://lexingtonky.news/2023/06/30/in-an-unexpected-turn-adrielle-camuel-clinches-democratic-nomination-for-kentuckys-house-district-93/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=The Lexington Times |language=en-US}} Kentucky Democrats later selected Adrielle Camuel to run for the seat. Camuel's selection caused controversy as she was a member of the nomination committee.{{Cite web |last=Olivia |first=Paul |date=July 6, 2023 |title=In House District 93, Ky Dems made the wrong move in picking new candidate |url=https://www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article277033153.html |website=Lexington Herald Leader}} After Camuel's selection, Curtis endorsed and campaigned for Camuel.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-05 |title=Democrats choose Camuel over Curtis, others, to run for Swann's former seat |url=https://www.lex18.com/news/democrats-choose-camuel-over-curtis-others-to-run-for-swanns-former-seat |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=LEX 18 News - Lexington, KY (WLEX) |language=en}} In September 2023, Curtis rescinded her support for Camuel, after concerns of Camuel's language and behavior on trans-rights issues.{{Cite web |last=Oliva |first=Paul |date=2023-09-09 |title=Emma Curtis Rescinds Endorsement of Adrielle Camuel Over Transphobic Behavior |url=https://lexingtonky.news/2023/09/09/emma-curtis-rescinds-endorsement-of-adrielle-camuel-over-transphobic-behavior/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=The Lexington Times |language=en-US}} After Curtis and 11 other transgender Kentucky leaders wrote an open letter to Camuel condemning her remarks, Camuel issued a formal apology.{{Cite news |last1=Ladd |first1=Sarah |date=September 14, 2023 |title=Camuel issues an apology for comment on transgender health care law |work=Kentucky Lantern |url=https://kentuckylantern.com/briefs/camuel-issues-an-apology-for-comment-on-transgender-health-care-law/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |language=en-US}}
= Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council =
In January 2024, Curtis announced her candidacy for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council's 4th District seat. Curtis campaigned on a platform advocating for a more inclusive society for all residents of Lexington.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ6w2AyOtQs |title=Emma Curtis Wins 4th District Council Seat |date=2024-11-08 |publisher=LEX18 |access-date=2025-01-10 |via=YouTube}} Her campaign focused on issues such as improving road safety, addressing affordable housing, and enhancing government transparency. In the November 2024 general election, Curtis defeated incumbent Brenda Monarrez,{{Cite web |date=2024-11-06 |title=Emma Curtis wins historic Lexington council race |url=https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2024-11-05/emma-curtis-wins-historic-lexington-council-race |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=WUKY |language=en}} securing 51.8% of the vote.{{Cite news |date=2024-11-06 |title=Emma Curtis wins local race for Lexington City Council |url=https://fox56news.com/news/local/lexington/emma-curtis-wins-local-race-for-lexington-city-council/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110031928/https://fox56news.com/news/local/lexington/emma-curtis-wins-local-race-for-lexington-city-council/ |archive-date=2024-11-10 |access-date=2025-01-13 |work=FOX 56 News |language=en-US |url-status=live }} Her victory made her the first openly transgender person elected to the Urban County Council in Lexington and the second transgender public official in Kentucky, following Rebecca Blankenship.{{Cite web |title=Emma Curtis becomes first transgender city councilor in Kentucky |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2024/11/08/lexington-elects-first-transgender-councilor-in-state-history |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=spectrumnews1.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-11-06 |title=A 28-year-old Lexington native will make history as Lexington's first transgender member of the Urban County Council |url=https://www.weku.org/lexington-richmond/2024-11-06/a-28-year-old-lexington-native-will-make-history-as-lexingtons-first-transgender-member-of-the-urban-county-council |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=WEKU |language=en}}
Late night television host John Oliver mentioned Curtis's electoral victory on his show Last Week Tonight. "[E]ven amid the GOP's massive anti-trans ad campaign, on Tuesday, [...] at least 35 transgender and gender-expansive candidates won races in places like Montana, Hawaii and Kentucky, where Emma Curtis was elected to the [Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council], and that is a big deal," Oliver said on his show's first episode after the 2024 general election.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Marina |title=Lexington got a mention on 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.' Here's why |url=https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2024/11/11/last-week-tonight-with-john-oliver-references-lexington-election/76193442007/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=The Courier-Journal |language=en-US}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU2atCWyAos |title=Trump's Reelection: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) |date=2024-11-14 |last=LastWeekTonight |access-date=2025-01-19 |via=YouTube}}
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On January 12, 2025, Curtis was sworn in as a council member for the 2025-2026 legislative session.{{Cite news |last=O'Barto |first=Jace |date=January 12, 2025 |title=Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council's 2025-2026 members sworn in |url=https://fox56news.com/news/local/lexington/lexington-fayette-urban-county-councils-2025-2026-members-sworn-in/ |work=Fox 56}} She has expressed that her presence in public office serves as an inspiration for young transgender individuals, demonstrating that they have a place and a voice in their communities.
= 2026 State Legislative Election =
In March 2025, just three months into her first term as a city councilor, Curtis sparked speculation that she would seek a seat in the Kentucky General Assembly the following year. "In January of 2027, when the legislature gavels in, my promise to you is that we are finally going to have trans representation on the floor of our General Assembly, taking the Oath of Office, ready to hold the line and fight for all of us in Kentucky," Curtis said at the "Trans Day of Joy" in the Kentucky State Capitol on March 27.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-27 |title=Lexington council member hints at possible state run during 'Trans Day of Joy' at Kentucky Capitol |url=https://www.wuky.org/wuky-news/2025-03-27/lexington-council-member-hints-at-possible-state-run-during-trans-day-of-joy-at-kentucky-capitol |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=WUKY |language=en}}