Press Release - June 28th, 2010
gay.com

 

Melissa Sklarz,
Director New York Trans Rights Organization; Co-Chair, National Stonewall Democrats
Melissa Sklarz became the first transgender person elected to office in New York in 1999 when she was elected Judicial Delegate from the 66th Assembly District. In 2004, Melissa became the first transgender person from New York to be part of the state delegation at the Democratic National Convention, by being appointed to the Credentials Committee and again on the Rules Committee in 2008.
She helped bring civil rights to transgender people in New York City when INT 24 became law in 2002 and has been a lobbying leader for GENDA (Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act.
Melissa is a past president of Gay & Lesbian Ind. Democrats, and is now a vice president of Stonewall Democratic Club of New York. After serving on the board for the past 8 years, she is now the co-chair of the Board of Directors of National Stonewall Democrats.
In 2008, Melissa was a co-chair for Obama Pride NYC, helping to organize the LGBT community for the campaign and was one of 250 activists invited to the White House in June 2009 to celebrate the Stonewall Rebellion.
In 2010, Melissa was at the side of Governor Paterson when he announced an executive order protecting the rights of transgender people employed by New York State. Melissa had a featured role in the film Transamerica.

Melissa Sklarz, Director New York Trans Rights Organization; Co-Chair, National Stonewall Democrats

Melissa Sklarz became the first transgender person elected to office in New York in 1999 when she was elected Judicial Delegate from the 66th Assembly District. In 2004, Melissa became the first transgender person from New York to be part of the state delegation at the Democratic National Convention, by being appointed to the Credentials Committee and again on the Rules Committee in 2008.

She helped bring civil rights to transgender people in New York City when INT 24 became law in 2002 and has been a lobbying leader for GENDA (Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act.

Melissa is a past president of Gay & Lesbian Ind. Democrats, and is now a vice president of Stonewall Democratic Club of New York. After serving on the board for the past 8 years, she is now the co-chair of the Board of Directors of National Stonewall Democrats.

In 2008, Melissa was a co-chair for Obama Pride NYC, helping to organize the LGBT community for the campaign and was one of 250 activists invited to the White House in June 2009 to celebrate the Stonewall Rebellion.

In 2010, Melissa was at the side of Governor Paterson when he announced an executive order protecting the rights of transgender people employed by New York State. Melissa had a featured role in the film Transamerica.