Jaelynn Scott

Jaelynn P. Scott
Born
Jackson, Mississippi
EducationNaropa University
OrganizationLavender Rights Project
Known forBlack transgender advocacy

Jaelynn Scott is an African-American transgender community organizer and politician based in Seattle, Washington. She serves as executive director of Lavender Rights Project, a Black transgender feminist advocacy organization. She is currently the Democratic nominee for the Washington House of Representatives in the 37th district. If elected, Scott will become the first openly transgender Black woman to hold political office in the United States. Scott is a member of Democratic Socialists of America.

Early life and education

Scott grew up in Jackson, Mississippi. She graduated from high school in 1995.

Scott initially worked as a flight attendant, but was laid off after 9/11. Through practicing Buddhism and meditation, she had a spiritual awakening, leading her to attend ministry school at Naropa University.

Career

After graduation from Naropa and ordination in Buddhist ministry, Scott engaged in ministry work with the Unitarian Universalist Church at various locations.

She moved to Seattle in 2017, shortly after Lavender Rights Project was founded, and began her gender transition. After making use of the organization's legal resources, she was hired by them, starting out in human resources. She became executive director of Lavender Rights Project in 2020.

In 2026, Scott announced her campaign for state representative of the 37th District in the 2026 Washington House of Representatives election. As the incumbent did not seek re-election, the seat was contested as an open seat. Scott ran as a Democrat and won the primary election against her opponent, a college student running as an independent. Scott won more than 88% of the vote. She was endorsed by Seattle mayor Katie Wilson.

Honors and recognition

References

  1. ↑ Raketty, Renee (September 3, 2021). "Lavender Rights Project celebrates its 5th anniversary". Seattle Gay News. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Jaelynn Scott Talks Leading the Lavender Rights Project and Supporting Seattle's Black Trans Community". Converge. May 17, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Yoon-Hendricks, Alexandra (June 20, 2024). "Jaelynn Scott, defender of Black trans lives". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Yip, Micah (March 2, 2026). "Community Organizer Jaelynn Scott Is Running to Represent the 37th Legislative District". The Stranger. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Standard, Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State (2026-08-13). "Washington poised to elect its first openly trans legislator". KUOW. Retrieved 2026-10-04.
  6. ↑ "Our Board of Directors". The Transgender District. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Covenant & History". Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church. Retrieved March 24, 2026. Rev. Jaelynn Scott, an ordained Buddhist minister, started as Director of Lifelong Learning in the summer of 2016.
  8. ↑ "Jaelynn Pema-la Scott". Unitarian Universalist Association. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
  9. 1 2 "Seattle Reign FC Legend: Jaelynn Scott – Executive Director at Lavender Rights Project". Seattle Reign FC. October 2, 2025. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Jaelynn Scott Launches Campaign For State Representative In The 37th District". The Seattle Medium. March 4, 2026. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  11. ↑ Lucia, Bill (2026-06-28). "Seattle mayor endorses challenger to WA Senate majority leader • Washington State Standard". Washington State Standard. Retrieved 2026-10-04.
  12. ↑ "Proclamation" (PDF). City of Seattle. June 2025. Retrieved March 23, 2026.