Sacramento voters could elect the first transgender legislator in California | Opinion
When you run for political office, you open up your life, your decisions and your every word to public scrutiny. But Evan Minton is ready for it — as a transgender man, he’s spent years explaining himself to the world, simply for living as his authentic self.
Minton, who uses both he/him and they/them pronouns, announced their candidacy for the District 6 Assembly seat on Thursday. They join a field of several candidates who have already announced their candidacy to succeed Kevin McCarty, who has decided to run isntead for Sacramento mayor. McCarty said he will not endorse a candidate for the seat but considers Minton, 42, “a longtime friend and a great community advocate and leader.”
Minton’s platform will focus on environmental justice, affordable housing and economic security. But also notable is that, if Minton wins, he will be the first openly transgender legislator in the state — just as he was the first openly transgender person to work in the state capitol.
Minton won’t merely be a voice for the transgender community, but it is far past time that we have someone filling that role for Californians. His interests include climate change, equitable educational opportunities, reproductive healthcare, affordable housing and creating sustainable pathways to the middle class.
Last year, more than 500 openly LGBTQ+ candidates won elected office across the nation, in races for everything from local school board to Congress. In 2024, that trend looks only to grow, indicating a level of acceptance that wasn’t existent even a decade ago.
Approximately 10% of the California Legislature identifies as LGBTQ+, but Minton’s candidacy could be the first to bring transgender acceptance to the state capitol. It would also further demonstrate that transgender legislators absolutely belong in America’s representative democracy.
The 6th District encompasses most of the city of Sacramento and portions of the unincorporated County of Sacramento. While the city of Sacramento may be nominally supportive of LGBTQ+ rights, Minton knows that knocking on some doors outside the city center — or even within it — could lead to challenging conversations with voters.
Regardless, the aspiring assemblymember wants to show the Sacramento region’s transgender and queer youth, and their families, that not only do they belong, they deserve to have a voice in their government.
“One of the programs I want to create is an internship program to get kids from different backgrounds, but particularly trans kids, into government,” he told me. “I want them to know there’s a future for them.”
Minton is no stranger to fighting for his rights: In 2017, he was denied health care by Mercy San Juan, a part of Dignity Health, and sued the medical providers in a high-profile ACLU lawsuit that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Minton also served as an expert witness to the U.S. House Oversight Committee on President Donald Trump’s attacks on LGBTQ+ Americans.
“Our kids are being ... targeted,” Minton said. “It’s important for me to let them know that they have a future and just as much right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as anyone else.”
Since then, they’ve continued their advocacy for the California transgender community as co-chair of the Democratic National Committee’s Transgender Advisory Committee and co-chair of the lieutenant governor’s Transgender Advisory Council.
Ultimately, the fight for transgender rights are, at their heart, a fight for all Americans. Acceptance and inclusion for transgender, non-binary and queer people is another step forward, ensuring we can all live as our authentic selves and without fear of persecution or restriction.
“My fight is for all of us and it always has been,” Minton said. “I want to follow in McCarty’s footsteps of creating a vibrant district and ensuring that those with the most needs are sufficiently met.”
Editor’s Note: This story was updated with more precise language on the boundaries of Assembly District 6.
This story was originally published July 14, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
