First transgender firefighter in NYC

DonnaL · 10-02-2011, 03:06 PM

FDNY Welcomes First Transgender Firefighter - Local News - New York, NY - msnbc.com

Quote:

The FDNY has welcomed its first transgender firefighter.

Brooke, a third-generation firefighter whose father is still on the job, is the first known transgendered woman in the firefighting ranks, according to the New York Post. . . .

Her family has a long history of firefighting, starting at least three generations ago with Brooke's grandfather, and continuing to her father, an FDNY officer who responded to the Twin Towers on 9/11.

Department sources told the Post some insensitive colleagues might have a hard time dealing with her gender change, but one veteran member said "Especially among those who know the [family], this won't amount to a hill of beans to them. There's a lot of respect for the family."

I don't usually post stories like this, but this is especially cool, if you ask me. It's not necessarily easy to be that kind of pioneer in any field. I hope it all goes well for her.

KKmama · 10-02-2011, 03:55 PM

Our local churches had their annual women's prayer breakfast last Saturday. I was the communion officiant, a daughter of the host church preached, and a transgendered woman was the worship leader. I asked some of the elderly women from my church what they'd thought about it, and they were surprisingly positive. One did say that she would have been uncomfortable if Barbara had served the sacrament, but then added that she's praying to get over that... I was impressed.

hyeonjlee · 10-02-2011, 04:32 PM

makes me feel proud to be their neighbor across the hudson river!

zoosermom · 10-02-2011, 08:05 PM

I think this is awesome and wish her the very best. With her family history of firefighting, this lady should do just fine!

Threekids · 10-02-2011, 08:07 PM

Looking forward to the day when it isn't news. Is she newly transgendered and has been a firefighter, or newly hired and happens to be transgendered? I think it's probably that she was just hired. Good for her!