Jess Herbst, the mayor of a small town in Texas, just made history by coming out as transgender after eight months in office.
The Huffington Post reports that Herbst, who is mayor of New Hope, Texas (which has a population of under 700 people), is believed to be Texas's first-ever transgender mayor. The best part? While the county New Hope is in is one of the most conservative in Texas, Herbst says she has received nothing but support since coming out.
"I have received emails congratulating me, calling me brave and even one expressing pride in living in a town with a mayor like me,” she told the Huffington Post. “I never hoped for more than simple tolerance, the outpouring of support is unprecedented."
Herbst became mayor after serving on the town council for ten years - she was appointed to the position last May after New Hope's current mayor passed away from a heart attack.
While she started to come out to a select few local officials in November, she made the announcement to the town via an open letter.
"As your Mayor I must tell you about something that has been with me since my earliest memories. I am Transgender. Two years ago, with the support of my wife, daughters and son-in-law, I began Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). At the time, I did not imagine I would hold the Mayors position, but here I am."
In the letter, Herbst goes on to mention figures like Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox, who she says gave society the chance, "to see and learn about who we are."
In a state that's considering enacting anti-transgender bathroom laws similar to those already in place in North Carolina, it's reassuring to see the support and tolerance being offered to Herbst - hopefully Texas can learn something from New Hope.