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US President Obama has appointed Amanda Simpson, a transgender woman, to a Senior Technical Advisor post in the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security. It is the first time an openly transgender individual has received a presidential appointment to the executive branch.

In her statement to the press Simpson said “I’m truly honored to have received this appointment and am eager and excited about the opportunity that is before me”. She added, “As one of the first transgender presidential appointees to the federal government, I hope that I will soon be one of hundreds, and that this appointment opens future opportunities for many others.”

Simpson, a former flight instructor and test pilot, has over 30 years experience in the aerospace and defence industry and holds degrees in physics, engineering and business. She actively supports LGBT rights campaigns and previously served on the board of the National Center for Transgender Equality.

The appointment has come under scrutiny from some commentators terming it a ‘token gesture’. In an interview with ABC News, Simpson replied that she expects to be “second guessed” as a result of her gender identity, but intends to do “a far superior job than any other person”.

While there are no LGBT individuals in the Obama Administration, in his first year in office the president has appointed nearly 100 openly LGBT officials to the executive branch.

Posted in: Campaigns & Politics |