Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen

Transgender advocate. I'm Cuban American, and yeah, I’m from Miami. Now a DC transplant. He/él. Native Spanglish speaker. Views = my own.

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

Job news! 

My mission has long been to stop LGBTQ, and especially trans, people from being seen as political footballs and start getting us seen as real people - your friends, families, neighbors. 

Now I get to focus on that 100% at @TrevorProject 

So proud to join the team 🚀

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

Inspiring stories of how introducing lawmakers to trans families can turn the tide.

Like in Montana, where Republican representative Sherry Essmann opposed a drag ban after hearing openly trans Rep. Zooey Zephyr speak on the harm it would cause her and her kid.

[Southern Equality @SouthernEqual]

For those feeling the effects of anti-LGBTQ+ policies, it may be hard to believe that last year advocates beat 91% of anti-LGBTQ+ bills that were proposed. Learn about strategies advocates are using to fight back, including some from CSE: https://t.co/stiz3GfSO8

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

Big win. These trans servicemembers meet all the qualifications. Kicking them out simply bc of who they are is discrimination, pure and simple.

When at work, we should all be judged by whether or not we get the job done - no more, no less.

[Congressional Equality Caucus @EqualityCaucus]

GOOD NEWS: A federal court of appeals BLOCKED the Trump Admin from enforcing the trans military ban against several servicemembers suing to protect their right to serve, finding the ban is likely unconstitutional.

The fight is not over yet, but this ruling is an important win!

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

Trans people are <5% of the population, yet we’re the focus of endless controversies and legislation. You’d think there’s way more of us than there are.

Regardless of how much you know about trans issues, most of us can agree the government has more productive things to do.

[The Advocate @TheAdvocateMag]

From voiding Kansas driver’s licenses to policing bathrooms, anti-trans laws are turning transgender Americans into legal scapegoats, writes Suzanne B. Goldberg. https://t.co/38IxlZkQnX

[Sue Kerr 🐈🐈‍⬛🦄🐱 @PghLesbian24]

Eight trans neighbors in the US have lost their lives to violence in 2026, so far. Seven reported in the past five weeks. Four additional memorial to write.#RIP

25 Year Old Black Trans Texan #JadeRoberts Shot And Left At Abandoned Building In Early 2026 https://t.co/2xpjKWNnwL

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

This is not about protecting women’s colleges - this is part of a continued effort from the federal government to target trans Americans. 

94% of trans & nonbinary youth said recent anti-LGBTQ+ laws, policies and debates caused them stress or anxiety. (Source: Trevor Project)

[The Advocate @TheAdvocateMag]

A former Education Department Office of Civil Rights official says the investigation has little to do with student harm and everything to do with politics. https://t.co/KLRvLAUJ7W

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

I’m honored to be speaking at #NAMICon2026 in Atlanta. Catch my session: “Sharing Your Story to Break Stigma Around LGBTQ+ Youth” happening on Friday, May 29 💙🧡 Let me know if you’ll be there!

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

I had so much fun at the party for the new exhibit ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa 💃 at the @USLatinoMuseum  🪇

Like Bad Bunny’s Superbowl show, it’s a beautiful example of how honoring history & heritage doesn’t have to be stale 🇨🇺

#NMALPuroRitmo

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

Young trans patients are worried about losing their medication. It’s understandable to have questions about this treatment.

It’s reassuring to know it’s slow, methodical, and based on decades of research. Parents are at the decision-making table.

[Ari Drennen @AriDrennen]

Alex Consani and Hunter Schafer on the Met Gala red carpet at the same time…God Bless America

[Ari Drennen @AriDrennen]

Nebraska's legislature adjourned Friday without passing a single one of the 7 anti-trans bills introduced this session. A joint record for anti-trans bills in one session, and every one of them died. In a deep-red state. The deciding vote was a Republican.

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

This is such a ray of sunshine in a dark time! Well deserved and creates great visibility for all of us trans folks fighting the good fight! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[NCLR – National Center for LGBTQ Rights @NCLRights]

We’re thrilled to announce that @TIME has named NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2026.

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

🔗 https://t.co/B1YAFRrgzi

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

It’s crucial for trans youth to see that, no matter how high the political temperature rises, trans adulthood is still within reach for them. Always.

Thank you @HuffPost for publishing my personal story on this #TransDayOfVisibility

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

It’s crucial for trans youth to see that, no matter how high the political temperature rises, trans adulthood is still within reach for them. Always.

Thank you @HuffPost for publishing my personal story on this #TransDayOfVisibility

[Erin Paige @theErinPaige]

6 years on HRT!

Of course, I took my annual hike to celebrate 😊

Celebrating the milestone felt important, especially with the way the world is treating trans people right now. Trans joy cannot and will not be erased!

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

"When I look in the mirror and notice a new gray hair, I don’t panic. I smile. It reminds me, a trans woman, that I am growing… It is a small, ordinary milestone. And it’s a feeling that every trans young person deserves the chance to experience."

https://t.co/qXvQ7h1cOH

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

Real Housewives on the Hill! Cast members met with Congress to advocate for PrEP coverage. This is a great example of using pop culture for policy.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
#HIV #PrEP
#RHONJ #RHOA #RHOM #RHOBH #RHOP

[TEYANA M.J. TAYLOR @TEYANATAYLOR]

The world holds so much misery that miserable hearts forget the face of happiness.
They grow comfortable being sore losers, so when they see real sportsmanship it unsettles them! like holy water touching a demon. Because clapping for someone else’s victory requires something many people never learned…how to win with grace & pure joy, and how to lose with grace, chin up & dignity.

[possum faerie 🏴🏳️‍⚧️ 🇵🇸🔻 @i_am_remy_bot]

Forcing trans people to revert gender markers means they will immediately be outed in any interaction that requires an ID- renting an apt, starting a job, applying for a bank account, every interaction w police. This enables discrimination+can put trans people in physical danger

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

@holybullies Absolutely. It’s a cold way to force someone to be outed at every turn.

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

Trans people use IDs for the same reasons as anyone else - to work, drive, travel. We need them to match who we are so that we can simply move through our lives without issue. Forcing trans people to use inaccurate IDs helps no one - but hurts our families