In the spring of 1998, Ms. Davis came out as a transgender woman at her job as a Media Specialist at Southwest High School in the Minneapolis Public Schools. This highly publicized transition (news-paper article) was one of the first in the nation of a transgender person working with children in secondary education. She literally left school on Friday as David and returned on the following Monday as the woman, Debra Davis. This photo was taken that Monday morning as she was getting ready to come out to her High School staff (talk she gave to her staff that day) of over 150 people.
Ms. Davis has been an out, proud and visible transgender person
working for human rights in our communities for over two decades.
Pictured with Debra is Carol Johnson, Superintendent
of the Minneapolis Public Schools when Debra transitioned, and Al Ortwig, St Paul Public Schools -
School Board Member. They are at the 2001 Minnesota Human Rights Dinner
and award ceremony.
"Debra Davis leads by example. She serves as a role model
and mentor for the GLBT community in the areas of education,
acceptance, and advocating for the transgender community,
among others. She is a quiet, steadfast, and tenacious activist
who builds and cultivates relationships in order to advance the
cause of GLBT individuals."
Over 1200 people attended the October 21, 2001 dinner and reception.
Debra is believed to be one of the few transgender
people in the country to receive the Human Rights Campaign
Leadership Award. She is the first transgender Minnesotan to be so honored.
Debra was honored to be chosen the 2000 Twincities Pride "GRAND MARSHAL." This 35 year old celebration in the center of Minneapolis, host's the largest parade in the upper midwest. The celebration now draws over 400,000 people in its two day run in Loring Park. Debra also has had a booth there for the last 19 years. You can find her on the west side of the park, next to the path that leads to the Minneapolis sculpture gardens, under the big oak tree. Be sure to stop buy and say Hi. Pictured with Debra is her grand daughter Victoria, as they lead the 3 hour parade down Hennepin Ave. in Minneapolis in late June of 2000.
Debra attributes the success of her transition to the many others who supported her.
In fact, there was so much support that the extreme right wing was upset
because no one else seemed to be upset.
"Debra Davis is
Lavender's Person of the Year 1999.
Although Davis came out at work in 1998, she faced greater adversity
in 1999. In the midst of it all, Davis has maintained a sense of
dignity, grace, and perseverance while continuing to educate: she's
served as an inspiration, role model, trailblazer, and unbridled
leader in the struggle for human rights. Davis's personal and
professional embodiment of courage has contributed (and will
continue to do so) to the GLBT community's struggle for acceptance
far beyond the next millennium. It is our privilege to honor her
in this year-end issue."
To the right is Debra's 2000-2001 Southwest High School staff ID picture.
(don't you just hate ID photos!)
One day in March of 2000 the students filled the halls
of Southwest High School with signs of support for Debra.
Here's the story.
Debra was also honored during the 1998 national coming out week celebration.
She was also the featured speaker at the
National Coming Out Day Interfaith
Service
on Sunday, October 11, at the First Universalist Church
of Minneapolis. She considers this presentation one of the most powerful
and meaningful events she has experienced. The church was full of
community members, allies and well-wishers. She was deeply moved
by the warmth and acceptance she was shown.
Here is a very early picture of debra. (It's sometimes amazing what "glamor shots" can do.)
Debra wrote about what her life was like when she first started to
accept the fact that she was transgender. These were the early days
when opportunities to express her feminine self were very few.
Sometimes the logistics of just getting out of her house could
be very complicated. The
article was published in FocusPoint Newspaper,
during the summer of 1998.
Debra is the winner of the 2001 Brian Coyle Leadership Award,
presented by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
Also winning were the Minneapolis and St. Paul Public School Systems.
The following is part of Debra's introduction as she was about to receive the award.
When Debra came out at Southwest
she was supported by family, friends, co-workers and allies.
The Minneapolis school district
and her school itself were unwavering in their support for her. Here she is
pictured in the library with Jan, the library clerk, Clarence, the other
Media Specialist at Southwest, and her mother and father who came to visit one day.
When Debra was in the process of coming out at her school in 1998,
Connie Hope was one of the special people that kept her going.
She helped Debra through the entire transition.
Connie is a practicing attorney.
They are known for their work supporting and defending
human rights for all people. They are both still active in
the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) communities.
In 1999 Debra was named
"Person of the Year" by Lavender Magazine.
Their article includes the following introduction . . . .
Debra Davis,
Gender Education Center Executive Director,
with President Bill Clinton, June 2000
at the Fine Line Cafe in Minneapolis, Minnesota
"Grandchildren are the joy of my life." Here is Connie
with Matthew and Victoria. Connie is one of their
favorite people. Of course there was an 'open cookie
jar' rule at Debra's house. But that's what grandparents are for.
Debra's third grandchild, Ricky, arrived on March 28, 2000 at
6:30 in the morning, (7 lbs. 13 oz.)
Here is a picture of Debra's grandchildren,
Victoria - 5 1/2, Matthew - 2 1/2, and Ricky -
just 4 weeks old. He keeps everyone very busy.
You can imagine how the dynamics of this
family have changed. Victoria is very much the big sister,
and Matthew is learning that he is no longer the center of
attention, like he was!
"We will be adding more personal pictures
of grandchildren and family
on another page in the future."
"Here is Connie and me with my grandchildren,
Matthew - 4, Victoria - 7, and Ricky - 2. Matthew and Ricky are
not quite awake yet.
We were all at the Minnesota Rainbow Families Conference
in February of 2002. The conference brought together
over 800 participants including GLBT parents and grandparents,
our children and grandchildren, allies, supporters, and friends
of our communities. This annual, all-day conference brought us all
together to celebrate our families. It is still taking place every spring, usually in Minneapolis."
-->
"Here is a holiday picture (12/25/02) of me with my grandchildren,
Ricky - almost 3, Victoria - 8, and Matthew - 5. Victoria is
holding their newest family member, Teddy.
It was the first holiday celebrated in their new home. It's my daughter and her
husband's first house so it was a very special time with the family.
A good time was had by all!"
"Here is Debra Davis with her grandson Dylan, born in early June, 2004.
He was her 4th grandchild. She now has 5 wonderful grandchildren (Ryan born in April, 2009) that take up a lot of her time when she is
not traveling and giving presentations through out the country. More personal
information on Debra can be found on her family and friends pages."
Here is Debra with her grandchildren Ricky 5, Victoria 11, and Matthew 7, at Debra's home during their Christmas celebration in late December, 2005. Debra spends a lot of time with her family when she is not traveling for the Gender Education Center, speaking and presenting workshops through out the country. Her home is a favorite gathering place for the family.
More recent photos of Debra Davis and her family and friends can be found on the "Debra Davis family and friends pages:"
Return to GEC home page