The Guardian · US news · Original story
Michigan nominates first trans woman for state legislature
Joanna Whaley, ex-megachurch pastor who endured years of conversion practices, comfortably bested her opponents
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A former megachurch pastor who endured 15 years of conversion practices is set to become the first transgender member of Michigan’s state legislature after winning a Democratic primary election on Tuesday.
Joanna Whaley comfortably defeated Frank Liberati, a former state representative, and Gary Schlack in the primary for the second district of the Michigan statehouse, a Democratic stronghold.
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David Smith Washington bureau chief · Wed, Aug 5, 2026, 9:59 AM
US news | The Guardian
Joanna Whaley, ex-megachurch pastor who endured years of conversion practices, comfortably bested her opponents
A former megachurch pastor who endured 15 years of conversion practices is set to become the first transgender member of Michigan’s state legislature after winning a Democratic primary election on Tuesday.
Joanna Whaley comfortably defeated Frank Liberati, a former state representative, and Gary Schlack in the primary for the second district of the Michigan statehouse, a Democratic stronghold.
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