Mayor Bernie Sanders Created an '80s Trans Mecca in Burlington

[melman]

Alana Cleverley is a 29-year-old transgender woman who lives in Montpelier, Vermont’s capital. A few weeks ago, she got a tattoo of Sanders inked on her ankle, in part because of the work Sanders has done for the LGBT community.

“His actions show that he feels that everybody should be treated as equals,” said Cleverley. “Everybody should have equal rights regardless of their situation and regardless of their gender. He has fought for all of that and made it way easier for everybody in the community. Not just for trans people, but for everybody.”

According to Cleverley, Sanders changed attitudes and helped shape Vermont into a more accepting state. She said she feels safer in Vermont than anywhere else.

“I can easily go anywhere designed for females, even though I was not born a female,” said Cleverley. “The fact that we are such a progressive state that allows for that has made my life so much easier.”


In 2015, Cleverley and her then-girlfriend would not hold hands or show affection when they traveled outside Vermont. Another ex of Cleverley’s, who is also trans, lives in Washington. According to Cleverley, her ex struggles with a less accepting community.

“It’s very unique to be able to walk around my own state and be able to date the people I want to date and be able to be the gender I want to be,” Cleverley said. “I know that’s largely in part to all of the work that Bernie has done in the past to get equal rights for everybody in every aspect.”
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“If Bernie becomes president, he will make it so that every state views the LGBTQ community as a whole as a good thing. He will push for the rights for everybody, like he did for gay marriage. I mean, he did that in the ’90s and gay marriage just recently got legalized,” said Cleverley. “I don’t feel any other candidate will push for things that will end up benefiting people like me.”


https://www.thedailybeast.com/mayor-bernie-sanders-created-an-80s-trans-mecca-in-burlington

[Mr.Bill]

1. I guess she's never been to California.

Of course, not all of California. It's a big state. But most of California, I would say.

[George II]

4. Or New York City, or San Francisco (CA), or Provincetown, or Key West, or New Orleans, or...

....Cleveland, or San Antonio, or Atlanta, or any number of other cities where LGBTQs are welcomed with open arms.

[JoeOtterbein]

2. More pesky...

...facts!

[Thekaspervote]

3. Poor person!! Sorry for her that she bought his hype

[handmade34]

5. Burlington is liberal

and there are many here in Vermont that make it possible for people to be who they are... Bernie was good that way, so was Dean, so is Christine Hallquist (trans woman candidate for governor I voted for in '18), Zuckerman, etc...

all of the Democratic candidates will work to include the LGBTQ community... Bernie is not extraordinarily special in that way

what Bernie could do in Burlington will not necessarily transfer to red states/communities

it is on the Democratic Platform

[whistler162]

6. So I guess of Potomac fever

is to blame for his current acceptance of Rogan's support

[UniteFightBack]

7. "If Bernie becomes president, he will make it so that every state views the LGBTQ community as a

whole as a good thing." Really...EVERY STATE? Wow.

How is he going to do that?

Thanks for the post undecided Melman. It's weird how you only make Bernie posts but you are undecided.
Glad to see you are keeping an open mind.

[Politicub]

8. Burlington is a wonderful city. Sanders played an outsize role

in championing progressive policies and including disadvantaged and ostracized people.

[Demsrule86]

9. Vermont has a Republican governor.