On today’s show, guest host Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford speaks with trans advocate, Josie Caballero. Across the country, there are more trans candidates running for office than ever, and these candidates are more viable than ever, says Caballero. These candidates include trans veterans who are continuing their path of federal service even after the Trump administration’s transgender ban. Caballero is one of these candidates, running to represent the 1.1 million people of Montgomery County, Maryland, an area that borders DC where roughly 40,000 people have been laid off from their federal jobs.

They talk about the courage it takes for trans individuals to run for elected office, putting themselves even more in the spotlight in a hostile political climate. But Caballero adds that trans acceptance is popular across the nation. She says that trans issues are being used by the Right to distract from the government shutdown, the Epstein files, and the demolition of the White House East Wing. Caballero reminds listeners to check in on your trans friends and family and be public about your support for trans individuals.

Their conversation also addresses the need for community support and mutual aid in light of SNAP benefits ending. Community support is the antidote to the desperation and hunger being fomented by the Trump regime. Caballero also supports the unmasking of federal immigration agents, the funding of public education, and champions the courage of other trans leaders.

Josie Caballero is a former nuclear power operator, deploying four times to hostile waters aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. She has proudly served within the Democratic Party as a presidential national delegate, a founding member of the DNC Trans Advisory Committee, and also was recently appointed to serve on the Maryland Commission of LGBTQIA+ Affairs. She is also the Director of Voting and Elections with Advocates for Trans Equality and President of the Transgender American Veterans Association. Caballero is running Montgomery County Council at-large.

Featured image: photo of Josie Caballero.

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