Trans person speaks on Tennessee House floor for the first time

Adam Mintzer
·2 min read
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — For the first time in memory, an openly transgender person spoke to Tennessee lawmakers from the front of the statehouse floor.

On Monday, Church of Christ chaplain Dahron Johnson gave the opening prayer to the Tennessee House of Representatives after being invited by freshman Democrat lawmaker state Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville).

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Johnson’s prayer focused on the importance of listening to many voices from different backgrounds. At one point Johnson began singing a “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, which is often referred to as the Black National Anthem.

“You may be elected as a representative into the space, but you’re elected and called here so that you can do what you can to represent as many of the voices in your district as possible. Even if somebody didn’t vote for you, they’re still a constituent of yours,” Johnson said.

While many were in attendance, a couple dozen House Republicans showed up to the chamber right as Johnson finished speaking. House Majority Leader Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) said their caucus meeting had run late.

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Johnson noted their absence, but didn’t take offense.

“If they’ll give me some grace, I’ll give them some grace. I know representative lives are busy. However, I do hope that in the busyness of their lives, they take an opportunity to go back and hear maybe a slightly different word, a slightly different perspective than folks often hear in this space,” Johnson said.

A handful of House Democrats also weren’t in the chamber when Johnson began speaking, but most of them said they were listening and praying outside of the doors to the floor.

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The Tennessee Equality Project says Johnson was not only the first person who identifies as transgender to speak from the well of the Tennessee General Assembly but may be the first trans person to lead a prayer in any state legislature.

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