The FDNY has hired its first transgender woman fire fighter, who is becoming a trailblazer for equality and trans visibility around the globe, The New York Daily News reported on Monday.
Brooke Guinan is a resident of Astoria, Queens and a third - generation fire fighter. She decided to sign on to the Vocal Organization for International Courage and Equality's "So Gay So What" campaign to push back against the notion that only certain people can be fire fighters.
"There's such a pervasive feeling in the general attitude of society that firefighting is a job for straight men," Guinan, 27, told the Daily News.
In the campaign photo, Guinan stands with her hands on her hips, head cocked slightly back, wearing a fire fighter's hat and a shirt that says "So Trans So What."
Since it's Sept. 24 debut, the photo has gone viral and became the campaign's most popular image. It has more than 6,000 shares on Facebook and Twitter.
"It really went viral," co-founder Darren Melchiorre said. "Her stance as a role model really made her shine."
Guinan's grandfather began the family firefighting tradition and her father was also an FDNY officer who responded to the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers.
The move to hire Guinan comes at a time when the FDNY has received criticism for a perceived lack of black and female fire fighters. The force is made up of roughly 11,000 members, 91 percent of them being white males. Though Guinan is the first known transgender firefighter, there have been openly gay members in the past.
An NYPD officer went public with her identity as a transgender woman in 2005.
"Most queer people think that being a firefighter, a cop, or having a government job is unattainable," Guinan said. "What a lot don't realize is you can do it."
Around the Metrotech firehouse, where Guinan works, her fellow emergency workers are supportive. The headquarters has only 32 women on the job.
"It's a tremendously courageous decision," one fellow firefighter told the New York Post. "Hopefully everyone will be supportive."
