When Taylor Small was elected Vermont state representative from Winooski last month, she made history. Small will be the first out transgender person elected to the Vermont State Legislature, and just the fifth out trans state legislator in the nation. Small, who is currently the director of the Health and Wellness program at the Pride Center of Vermont, is part of a so-called "rainbow wave" of victories for LGBTQ candidates around the country. The number of out LGBTQ state legislators increased from 161 this year to 175 who will be in office in 2021. In Vermont, Becca Balint, the first openly LGBTQ state senator, is poised to become Senate president pro tem.

Taylor Small is conscious of her role as a trailblazer and what her victory means for other LGBTQ people. "My goal,” says Small, “is now that the door is open, I'm going to hold it open for those who are yet to come."