Republican congresswoman promotes LGBT rights in video with transgender son

Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Fla.) released a public service announcement Tuesday advocating for transgender rights. The first Cuban-American and Latina to be elected to Congress, Ros-Lehtinen continued her groundbreaking legacy by rejecting the beliefs of many in her party to speak at her kitchen table with her husband and trans son, Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, about acceptance and family values.

"Every transgender person is part of someone's family and should be treated with compassion and protected from discrimination. Family is about acceptance and love," the congresswoman said.

The family also released the same PSA in Spanish on the behalf of SAVE, a South Florida organization that advocates for lesbian, gay, transgender, and queer rights. Watch their message, below. Jeva Lange

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up