Rising Stars: Meet Joanna Whaley of Lincoln Park, MI

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanna Whaley.

Hi Joanna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Before I came out as a transgender woman, I was an evangelical pastor. I worked at some of the largest megachurches in the United States, and around the time I was outed by someone from my congregation, I was working for one of the biggest megachurches in Michigan. That moment sparked a journey for me to advocate for LGBTQIA+ people in religion. I faithfully fought for the marginalized within religious systems that often oppress queer people. Through this work, I was invited by a local protest group to speak about LGBTQ rights and Christian nationalism, particularly related to the actions of the Trump administration and issues in the United States. At that rally, I spoke before thousands of community members and shared my story of surviving Conversion Therapy and advocating for marginalized groups. After that event, many people approached me, encouraging me to consider running for public office. It wasn’t something I had initially planned, but over time, I realized I needed to step into the public space and raise my hand to lead. This realization has led me to run for the Michigan House of Representatives, aiming to become the first transgender woman elected to the State House.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Running for office as a transgender woman presents unique and significant challenges. Unlike traditional politicians who might call acquaintances for campaign funds, I’ve had to awkwardly come out to people over the phone and endure hateful responses. My life has been threatened, and I have had to build a campaign finance plan that includes hiring security to protect me on the campaign trail, a challenge my opponents don’t face. Further, trans people are often targeted in the media, forcing me to continually combat cultural and religious opposition to my very existence. It’s difficult enough to run as a candidate focused on issues my district is worried about, but having to simultaneously fight for my right to exist makes the challenge even greater. However, this fight is worth the struggle, and my neighbors need a representative focused on the right things, while my opponents focus on who I am.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a new politician. For many years, I was known as a musician and LGBTQ rights advocate within religious communities. That work has naturally progressed into political action, leading to my candidacy for the State House of Representatives.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Raised in a Catholic family, I learned from a young age that all people are valuable. This belief was reinforced by my mother, who taught me to fight for those being marginalized due to their religion or life circumstances. This foundation, combined with my experiences excelling in sports like baseball and football, instilled in me a competitive spirit and a drive to stand up for others. These principles guided my actions in school, where I advocated for bullied kids, and continue to inform my political work today, where I champion the rights of all individuals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joannawhaley.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannawhaleyofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joannawhaleyofficial/
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/joannawhaley.bsky.social
• Other: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/joannawhaley