Trans youth worker Ellen Murray will be standing for election in Northern Ireland

Belfast woman Ellen Murray has made history by becoming the first transgender person to bid for a seat in the North’s Assembly election in May. Murray is standing for the Green Party in west Belfast.

She is the first openly transgender person to stand for election on the island of Ireland.
“I am delighted and excited to put my name forward as a Green Party candidate in the upcoming Assembly election,” she said.
“Having spent a number of years working with marginalised young people, I believe the time is right for change in Northern Ireland, to bring about equality for all. There is clear under-representation of many groups within the Assembly, including women, young people and the LGBTQ community. I will give a voice to those who need it most.”

Murray added: “As a young, queer, trans woman, I hope that standing for election as an MLA will offer choice and hope for those who need it most.
“Almost two decades after the Good Friday agreement, west Belfast is still one of the most deprived and disadvantaged areas in western Europe, in part due to the wasteful zero-sum politics at Stormont by the Executive parties.

“The Fresh Start agreement has exacerbated this by cutting welfare and benefits, while gifting tax cuts to corporations, something which, as a social justice campaigner, I strongly oppose.”

Murray said she would be “a champion for those who feel marginalised within west Belfast, including young people, people on low incomes, women and the LGBTQ community”.

The leadership of the Northern Ireland Green Party endorsed Murray’s nomination.

Green Party leader Steven Agnew MLA said: ‘I am proud to be part of a party that is open and welcoming to all, culminating in Ellen’s selection by the grassroots membership in west Belfast. She is fantastic campaigner for transgender rights.’
Deputy leader Clare Bailey added: ‘I worked closely with her as we set up the Queer Greens caucus and know her to be a tireless advocate for the LGBTQ community.’