Seven years ago, my parents and I drove down to Legislative Hall to testify before the Delaware State Senate and to urge them to pass the Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Act. (1/9)

Standing on the floor of the Delaware State Senate and with tears in our eyes, my parents and I shared our family’s story and asked for something simple: the equal protection of our laws. (2/9)

Fighting for your basic rights can be a demoralizing and dehumanizing experience. When there is no one like you in government, it can be lonely and scary. (3/9)

But in the end, with a mix of compassion and courage and with not one vote to spare, we were able to pass our bill. Transgender Delawareans were finally protected from discrimination. (4/9)

At the time, some were hostile to an out trans person merely testifying before the State Senate. It was certainly out of the ordinary for everyone. (5/9)

For that nervous but hopeful 22 year old woman, the thought that I could one day serve in that body seemed so impossible that it was almost incomprehensible. (6/9)

And, yet, this weekend, just seven years later, I returned to Legislative Hall together with my parents for the first time since we worked on that bill -- now, as a newly elected member of that same senate. (7/9)

As a newly elected state senator, it is now my job to stand in that chamber and to fight for opportunity and dignity for every single one of my neighbors. I do so with the hope and knowledge that change is possible because I’ve seen it, I’ve fought it, and I’ve lived it. (8/9)

As they say, “change is always impossible until it’s inevitable.” But only if we work for it.

Let’s go. (9/9)

Photo cred mostly @kylegrantham!