Raffi Freedman-Gurspan
@raffifg.bsky.social
Public Engagement Specialist | Human Rights & Gender Equality Expert| Government and Non-Profit Experienced Leader | Award-Winning Advocate
Just as coming out was about embracing my full self, so too is this new chapter.
Here’s to living authentically — in who we are, how we love, and how we navigate the world. 💜
Here’s to living authentically — in who we are, how we love, and how we navigate the world. 💜
October 12, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Just as coming out was about embracing my full self, so too is this new chapter.
Here’s to living authentically — in who we are, how we love, and how we navigate the world. 💜
Here’s to living authentically — in who we are, how we love, and how we navigate the world. 💜
I appreciate the love and support I have received from my parents, siblings, boyfriend, friends and colleagues who already know and have helped me transition to this new reality. 👩🏻🦯
October 12, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I appreciate the love and support I have received from my parents, siblings, boyfriend, friends and colleagues who already know and have helped me transition to this new reality. 👩🏻🦯
I consider myself low vision, and I see this not as a setback but as another way I’ve adapted to move through life with clarity and confidence.
October 12, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I consider myself low vision, and I see this not as a setback but as another way I’ve adapted to move through life with clarity and confidence.
I am grateful that in June I received my cane as well as training through the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind so I could learn to maneuver the world with my new tool. It’s been a game changer.
October 12, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I am grateful that in June I received my cane as well as training through the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind so I could learn to maneuver the world with my new tool. It’s been a game changer.
In 2014, I made the hard but necessary decision to stop driving due a near accident that caused me to realize my vision was getting worse, and this past spring, in consultation with my doctors, I decided it is time for me to use an ID cane as I live with further reduced peripheral vision.
October 12, 2025 at 6:08 PM
In 2014, I made the hard but necessary decision to stop driving due a near accident that caused me to realize my vision was getting worse, and this past spring, in consultation with my doctors, I decided it is time for me to use an ID cane as I live with further reduced peripheral vision.
When I was born in Honduras 38 years ago, I was born prematurely by almost a month and at a very low birth weight, and my eyesight has never been the strongest because of it.
October 12, 2025 at 6:07 PM
When I was born in Honduras 38 years ago, I was born prematurely by almost a month and at a very low birth weight, and my eyesight has never been the strongest because of it.
I also want to share another piece of my truth that has changed aspects of my life recently.
It may also come as a surprise to many of you.
It may also come as a surprise to many of you.
October 12, 2025 at 6:07 PM
I also want to share another piece of my truth that has changed aspects of my life recently.
It may also come as a surprise to many of you.
It may also come as a surprise to many of you.
Just as coming out was about embracing my full self, so too is this new chapter.
Here’s to living authentically — in who we are, how we love, and how we navigate the world. 💜
Here’s to living authentically — in who we are, how we love, and how we navigate the world. 💜
October 11, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Just as coming out was about embracing my full self, so too is this new chapter.
Here’s to living authentically — in who we are, how we love, and how we navigate the world. 💜
Here’s to living authentically — in who we are, how we love, and how we navigate the world. 💜
I appreciate the love and support I have received from my parents, siblings, boyfriend, friends and colleagues who already know and have helped me transition to this new reality. 👩🏻🦯
October 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I appreciate the love and support I have received from my parents, siblings, boyfriend, friends and colleagues who already know and have helped me transition to this new reality. 👩🏻🦯
I consider myself low vision, and I see this not as a setback but as another way I’ve adapted to move through life with clarity and confidence.
October 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I consider myself low vision, and I see this not as a setback but as another way I’ve adapted to move through life with clarity and confidence.
I am grateful that in June I received my cane as well as training through the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind so I could learn to maneuver the world with my new tool. It’s been a game changer.
October 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM
I am grateful that in June I received my cane as well as training through the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind so I could learn to maneuver the world with my new tool. It’s been a game changer.
In 2014, I made the hard but necessary decision to stop driving due a near accident that caused me to realize my vision was getting worse, and this past spring, in consultation with my doctors, I decided it is time for me to use an ID cane as I live with further reduced peripheral vision.
October 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM
In 2014, I made the hard but necessary decision to stop driving due a near accident that caused me to realize my vision was getting worse, and this past spring, in consultation with my doctors, I decided it is time for me to use an ID cane as I live with further reduced peripheral vision.
When I was born in Honduras 38 years ago, I was born prematurely by almost a month and at a very low birth weight, and my eyesight has never been the strongest because of it.
October 11, 2025 at 1:13 PM
When I was born in Honduras 38 years ago, I was born prematurely by almost a month and at a very low birth weight, and my eyesight has never been the strongest because of it.
I also want to share another piece of my truth that has changed aspects of my life recently.
It may also come as a surprise to many of you.
It may also come as a surprise to many of you.
October 11, 2025 at 1:13 PM
I also want to share another piece of my truth that has changed aspects of my life recently.
It may also come as a surprise to many of you.
It may also come as a surprise to many of you.
I remain hopeful that wisdom and compassion will ultimately prevail by Providence’s grace and that our collective story toward liberty and happiness shall be attained for the benefit of future generations. We cannot stop marching toward freedom.
August 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
I remain hopeful that wisdom and compassion will ultimately prevail by Providence’s grace and that our collective story toward liberty and happiness shall be attained for the benefit of future generations. We cannot stop marching toward freedom.
While the world has changed since that time – in many respects for the better including for the transgender community – I know that today many diverse communities in the United States are facing unprecedented turbulence and persecution as a backlash to the progress we helped usher in a decade ago.
August 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
While the world has changed since that time – in many respects for the better including for the transgender community – I know that today many diverse communities in the United States are facing unprecedented turbulence and persecution as a backlash to the progress we helped usher in a decade ago.
But most importantly, I served the nation and was proud to contribute in the small way that I did to American history and help open the door to future transgender political appointees at the White House and forthcoming Administrations.
August 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
But most importantly, I served the nation and was proud to contribute in the small way that I did to American history and help open the door to future transgender political appointees at the White House and forthcoming Administrations.
For the next year, 4 months and 19 days I worked hard for President Obama including my final position as Senior Associate Director for Public Engagement responsible for LGBTQ outreach (i.e. “the LGBTQ Liaison). I made lasting friendships. I had incredible experiences. And, yes, I had a ton of fun.
August 18, 2025 at 12:35 PM
For the next year, 4 months and 19 days I worked hard for President Obama including my final position as Senior Associate Director for Public Engagement responsible for LGBTQ outreach (i.e. “the LGBTQ Liaison). I made lasting friendships. I had incredible experiences. And, yes, I had a ton of fun.
Looking back, I realize how young I was in that moment and while I was somewhat prepared for the notoriety, I learned about the spotlight and the responsibility of being one of many voices representing communities that I belong to, especially the transgender American community on that day.
August 18, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Looking back, I realize how young I was in that moment and while I was somewhat prepared for the notoriety, I learned about the spotlight and the responsibility of being one of many voices representing communities that I belong to, especially the transgender American community on that day.
Public service is a great responsibility that I was taught at a young age as my mother had been a public servant for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and both my social worker parents instilled strong ethics around civic participation and compassion for all in the community.
August 18, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Public service is a great responsibility that I was taught at a young age as my mother had been a public servant for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and both my social worker parents instilled strong ethics around civic participation and compassion for all in the community.