On Tuesday, February 26, LGBT+ club hosted Mayor Dean Trantalis, the city of Fort Lauderdale’s current and first ever openly gay mayor. The event was held after school in the media center, where Trantalis spoke to the club about everything ranging from his political career to the importance of self-identity.
Mayor Trantalis was elected in March 2018, where he won in a landslide over candidate Bruce Roberts, receiving 65 percent of votes versus Roberts’ 35 percent. Trantalis’ victory was considered a groundbreaking one, especially considering that past Fort Lauderdale have had histories of homophobia.
“I think it shows the progress that our area has made in the past few years because even in recent history this wouldn’t have been possible,” LGBT+ Club President Amelia Wesley said. “I think it’s really important to show progress within the LGBT community within the political sphere.”
“When I was growing up, I really didn’t know what sexual orientation meant, [as] it wasn’t even a phrase back then. I don’t really think I really understood my sexual orientation until my late 20s,” Trantalis said.
Wesley organized the event after her parents spoke to Mayor Trantalis at a Winterfest Ball. Trantalis expressed interest in speaking to the club, so she sent him an email and the two went back and forth until they found a date that worked for both of them.
“I hope that the club members saw him as sort of an inspiration to them,” Wesley said. “I hope that it shows that regardless of their various identities, that they can have successful and happy lives.”
Trantalis spoke about the shift in the conversation about LGBT+ issues from the time he was growing up to the present— and how American society has become more sensitive of them, but also how much room for improvement remains.
“Representation is always important,” Wesley said. “The people who are supposed to be representing a population should be an accurate representation of that population.”
“When I was growing up, I really didn’t know what sexual orientation meant, [as] it wasn’t even a phrase back then. I don’t really think I really understood my sexual orientation until my late 20s,” Trantalis said. “So the fact that you each are thinking about it, or even feeling it, is different than the way I handled it.”
More LGBT+ officials were elected in the November 2018 midterm elections than in any previous election— a sign that representation in politics is changing for the better for the LGBT+ community.
“Representation is always important,” Wesley said. “The people who are supposed to be representing a population should be an accurate representation of that population.”
“Despite the hate that screams loud at times, we scream louder. Having pride isn’t something that will hold us back from achieving something great in any future we pursue.”
Prior to running for mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Mayor Trantalis was a city commissioner for the city of Fort Lauderdale, as well as serving as a lawyer for several years. LGBT+ people have faced harsh discrimination in the workforce for decades, which is why Cooper City’s LGBT+ club felt that it was necessary to have a figure such as Trantalis speak— to show that as a community, LGBT+ people can overcome those problems.
“I hope that [Trantalis’ speaking] helped teach that there is a bright future for LGBT+ kids,” club member Piper Breslin said. “Despite the hate that screams loud at times, we scream louder. Having pride isn’t something that will hold us back from achieving something great in any future we pursue.”
Photo by Cassie Hartmann
