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Army veteran wants to be Nevada's first openly transgender legislator

Posted at 6:50 PM, Apr 27, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-28 13:27:18-04

An Army veteran is hoping to make political history in Nevada. LaDon Henry wants to become Nevada's first openly transgender legislator.

"I know the type of discrimination that happens on a day-to-day basis that has been swept under the rug for far too long," says Henry.

Living as a transgender male wasn't easy for LaDon Jenry. He was in the Army for nearly four years serving as a woman.

That's part of the reason why he wants to be the state's first openly transgender legislator.

He is running for the assembly in District 42 in Spring Valley, facing other Democrats Kathleen Lauckner and Alexander Assefa in the primary.

Ladon is working hand in hand with his wife, Shon in his first political bid. Shon is a substitute teacher. They want to improve the education system and opening conversations about the LGBTQ community.

"There are a lot of teachers who do not understand how to deal with trans children," says Shon.

If he wins, LaDon also promises to capitalize on clean, renewable energy and reform the prison system.

"You now have an individual who made a decision as a child who will never be able to reach their full adult potential because now they have to continue to say they're an ex-felon," says Henry.

His promise to the people, " I don't want to be just another billboard you know. I want to be that person that people know, 'Hey, he was at my kids' school yesterday.'"