Transgender woman serves as official timekeeper for Democratic convention

PHILADELPHIA – A Tennessean who recently became the state’s first transgender woman to be appointed to a local government board has been tapped to serve as the official timekeeper at the Democratic National Convention.

Marisa Richmond, a longtime Democratic activist from Nashville, said she believes the designation makes her the nation’s first transgender person to be a podium official at a major party convention.

It will give her a prime seat at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Arena for the four nights of speeches, culminating with the expected nomination of Hillary Clinton for president.

“It’s a personal honor and a privilege to be up there on the stage,” Richmond, 57, said. “I’ll be just a few feet away from all of the speakers all four nights. It’s literally one of the best seats there.

“It shows that this is easily the most trans-friendly convention ever,” she said. “It shows that this party has really made progress in terms  of inclusion and diversity.”

The year’s DNC convention has a record 27 transgender delegates.

In May, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry appointed Richmond to serve on the state’s Metro Human Relations Commission, making her the first transgender person in Tennessee to be named to a local board or commission. Nashville’s Metro Council unanimously confirmed her nomination.

In her role as timekeeper, Richmond will be positioned on the stage and tasked with keeping speakers on schedule. Richmond said she was contacted for the position through her roles as a member of the party’s LGBT advisory board and the committee of Trans United for Hillary.

Garrison writes for the Tennessean in Nashville.