Transitioning gave Rachel Maes confidence to extend herself, become part of the community

When Rachel Maes won a seat on the Brown County Board on April 7, she became only the sixth trans person in the state to hold public office. And the first in the history of the board.

But being a trans woman, while integral in her journey, is not the sum total of a woman who has accomplished plenty already. Maes, an Assistant City Attorney in Green Bay, is a mother of three, made the Dean’s List twice at UW-Madison and graduated in the top ten percent of her law school class. She has double majors in political science and Russian.

As a city attorney, Maes not only prosecutes small-time offenders but works closely with those willing to accept her guidance to get back on the right track.

In 2019, prior to transitioning, Maes suffered from suicidal ideation despite living what she called “the American dream,” with a lovely house, a family, a good job and a good income. The fact is, she was terrified by the way her body was developing and didn’t feel comfortable in it.

Because she is now “living authentically” and has so fully accepted who she is, she is able to deflect some of the hateful rhetoric from the Christian right and the Trump administration and provide what she terms “armor” for those trans people less equipped to absorb those attacks.

Read Rachel’s full story at The Dairyland Patriot.