Jeri Hughes is a transgender activist from the USA. Since her arrest for the “crime” of being transgender in 1983, she has been an outspoken advocate for all human rights. Although her fight has primarily focused on the struggles faced by the transgender community, she has also extended her efforts to embrace the entire LGBT community. Jeri was among the first to promote direct action within the DC community to expand existing domestic partnership laws into full-fledged marriage equality. She actively participated in the fight to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) and initiated and filed the complaint against the DC Department of Corrections with the Office of Human Rights while simultaneously engaging the broader LGBT community, leading to a shift in DOC policy regarding the rights and dignity of transgender prisoners.
Jeri also played a key role in reforming policies within the Metropolitan Police Department, resulting in a new General Order that respects gender identity and expression. Working independently in 2009, she spearheaded efforts to reform discriminatory employment practices targeting the transgender community within the District. Once again, her work mobilized the broader community, fostering open discussions and leading to programs like Project Empowerment. She continues these efforts and is currently collaborating with the Gray Administration to implement new and effective measures to combat systemic discrimination.
