This article was originally published by QNews. You can find the original article here.
Paige Johnson has made history with her election win in the City of Newcastle at New South Wales’ local elections at the weekend.
Voters across New South Wales went to the polls in the local government elections on Saturday (September 14).
In the City of Newcastle, voters elected Labor candidate and out transgender woman Paige Johnson (above, second from right) to the top Councillor position in Ward 2.
Paige had previously contested the past two local government elections before her victory at the weekend. She’s being celebrated as the first openly trans woman in her state to be elected to public office.
Paige is a civil engineer at Lake Macquarie City Council. She’s also Vice-President of Hunter Gender Alliance, an organisation advocating for the rights of trans and gender-diverse people in the Hunter region.
Paige Johnson said in a statement, “It is an honour to be elected to public office as a Councillor in this progressive city.
“I’m determined to keep fighting for Newcastle to be a liveable and inclusive place where everyone in our community can thrive.
She added, “While my focus is certainly on local government, I understand what this victory means for our transgender and gender-diverse community.
“Visibility matters and I know how difficult it can be to see your future self somewhere where there isn’t much representation of people like you.
“I also know being able to be yourself and live your truth every day makes a world of difference.”
Local group Newcastle Pride congratulated and celebrated Paige’s history-making election win.
They pointed out Paige’s election comes after Newcastle also made history by electing Australia’s first female Lord Mayor, Joy Cummings, in 1974.
