Centralia is a quiet town of about 4000 residents located just 30 minutes north of Columbia, Missouri. While virtually indistinguishable from most other small towns throughout the state, Centralia has at least one major claim to fame – Jessica Orsini.
Jessica was elected to the Board of Aldermen in April, 2006. With that election, Jessica became one of only a handful of transgender individuals elected to public service. Currently serving in her third term, and mulling a bid for Mayor, Jessica reflects on how she got to this point and what it means for the transgender community.
“Prejudice exists as long as it is not personalized,” states Alderwoman Orsini. “Small towns allow for individuals to interact with you on a personal basis.” After an unsuccessful 2006 campaign for Board of Alderman where a local preacher used a whisper campaign to derail her election, Jessica was appointed to a local planning and zoning commission by the mayor. It was through that appointment that the public got to know and interact with her.
Centralia is considered a 4th class municipality according to the State, so the duties of an Alderwoman are basic, but while in office, Jessica is proud of a number of accomplishments, including instituting housing inspections for rental properties, new building codes and a new electrical substation. Given that so many municipal entities struggle in these economic times, Centralia has a budget running in the black and even managed to hire a new Police Chief who, with Jessica’s support and guidance, has focused on building the quality of life in Centralia.
In 2009 during her second term, Jessica introduced a nondiscrimination ordinance which would prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations. Knowing it was an uphill battle with only 2 secured votes out of 6 total votes, Jessica wanted to send a message that a small town could be LGBT friendly, too. There are several other LGBT individuals in town, but many are afraid to be fully out in the small town and travel the 30 minutes away to Columbia for social interaction. Ultimately, the effort in 2009 failed with a vote of 2 to 4 against the measure.
With the recent update including gender identity in the nondiscrimination ordinance of Columbia, Jessica has hopes to once again test the waters for passage of an inclusive ordinance in Centralia. As this piece goes to press, introduction is set for January 9th, and Jessica hopes that many of those who supported the ordinance in Columbia will make a showing in Centralia. “We need more people to be the voice for those too scared to speak,” added Jessica.
When asked for any general advice to burgeoning activists, Jessica offered, “Get involved because no one else is going to. This may be trite, but it’s your job to step up and be an agent for change.”
BY: A.J. BOCKELMAN
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