Lisa Middleton becomes first transgender mayor in Palm Springs — and in California

Lisa Middleton was sworn in Thursday as Palm Springs' mayor, becoming the first openly transgender mayor in the state and only the third nationwide.

Middleton, who represents District 5 and served as mayor pro tem for the past year, replaced Christy Holstege.

Under a rotational system adopted by the council in 2018, the current mayor pro tem automatically is sworn as mayor at the first council meeting in December, while the councilmember for the next sequential district is appointed mayor pro tem. District 1 Councilmember Grace Garner was sworn in as mayor pro tem.

During the swearing-in, Middleton referred to herself as the third transgender person nationwide to become a mayor. Stu Rasmussen became the first transgender mayor in U.S. history when he was elected mayor of Silverton, Oregon, in 2008, according to The New York Times. He died Nov. 17.

Jess Herbst, a transgender member of the town council in New Hope, Texas, became mayor of that town in 2016, after the mayor there died and she was next in line of succession.

Middleton won a seat on the Palm Springs City Council in 2017. She was re-elected in 2020, representing District 5 on the southwest side of the city.

Prior to her election, Middleton served on the Palm Springs Planning Commission, as chair of ONE-PS and as the interim executive director of the Desert LGBTQ Center. She grew up in East Los Angeles and worked for California's State Compensation Insurance Fund for 36 years before retiring.

In Palm Springs, the mayor has a mainly ceremonial role on the council. The responsibilities include serving as the head of the city for all ceremonial purposes and serving as a primary, but not exclusive, spokesperson for the city, according to the city's charter. The mayor has the same voting power as the rest of the council.

Middleton announced in October that she is running for the state Senate seat in District 28 as a Democrat. However, if elected to that seat, her term would not begin until after her year as mayor concludes. Middleton's current city council term is not set to expire until 2024.

'Our work in this city is far from done'

In comments she made following her swearing-in, Middleton referenced moments from the history of transgender people in the United States, including the outing in the New York Daily News of the first person to become widely known for receiving gender reassignment surgery, and the participation of Martha P. Johnson in the Stonewall uprising in 1969. She then referenced the history of politicians blocking opportunities for transgender children to access schools, medical care and other resources.

"For every elected official blocking doorways, there are others opening doors and across the country, there are places like Palm Springs where the welcome mat is out," she said. "I am so thankful for my hometown."

"Our work in this city is far from done," she added. "But in this city, it will always matter most what you are willing to work for and what you are prepared to give back to others. My thanks, and let's get back to work."

During the meeting, a staff member from U.S. Rep. Raul Ruiz's office presented Middleton with a certificate of congressional recognition for becoming mayor and congratulated her on becoming the first transgender mayor in state history.

The Trans Chorus of Los Angeles also sang a song to honor Middleton. Holstege called Middleton's swearing-in "a historic moment for the state of California and the country and city."

Paul Albani-Burgio covers breaking news and the City of Palm Springs. Follow him on Twitter at @albaniburgiop and via email at paul.albani-burgio@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Lisa Middleton of Palm Springs becomes first transgender mayor in California