The first transgender judge in the United States, an LSU alumna, returned to campus Monday to share tales of her path to self-acceptance and judicial achievements.
Victoria Kolakowski, Alameda County Superior Court Judge, spoke to law students about finding her true identity and her rise in government.
Kolakowski underwent gender reassignment surgery in 1991. Prior to the surgery, she said she struggled with accepting her identity.
“I lived a double life for a while,” she said. “It was hard to be this guy that I truly community.”
Louisiana Trans Advocate treasurer Micah Caswell said Kolakowski’s talk brought visibility to transgender inclusion in the community. She said she believes it is important for gender identity to be included in the University’s equal employment opportunities.
“It reminds the community that there are transgender people at the University,” Caswell said. “I hope the message inspires the student what.”
 
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Contact Lauren Duhon at [email protected]