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]

This movie a wonderfully weird little gem

[Film Updates @FilmUpdates]

‘WICKER’ debuted with $5.7M in its domestic opening weekend.

The biggest opening ever for indie studio Black Bear.

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

@rebekah_e_s The sliding doors of exilio kids

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

@cmclymer That improv was A+++

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

The study shows “supportive environments make a statistically positive difference in LGBTQ+ young people’s lives.”

Family support was linked to
⬇️ 45% lower odds of suicidal ideation
⬇️ 42% lower odds of self-harm

Family acceptance can be life-saving 🌈

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

@giadrew 🫂

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

Mickey Lopez – and other parents of transgender young people – want what every parent wants: a child who can grow up healthy and happy, surrounded by love and support. 

Powerful personal story here from a dad of a trans daughter

[USA TODAY Opinion @usatodayopinion]

Opinion: I hope any parent can relate to the profound unconditional love I have for my child – that what I care about most is her happiness and safety. https://t.co/FlfAw5pJuP

[Ari Drennen @AriDrennen]

She realized the awful truth: that no marriage, no child, no career accomplishment will ever make gender dysphoria go away. This is why we should not force people into the closet. It leaves a trail of broken families.

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

@_RebeccaMarques @Amtrak Fully agree. The quiet car on Amtrak is my happy place

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

To stop trans people being used as a political football, we need to show trans people as part of the full fabric of society.

And in 2026, that includes reality shows.

I’m excited to see her on The Traitors next season!

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

@rebekah_e_s This is a gem. No one humbles you like an abuela

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

109 of these candidates are trans

[Michael K. Lāvers (He/Him) @mklavers81]

There are 529 openly LGBTQ candidates running in this year’s Brazilian election that will take place on Sunday. I will be on assignment here in #Brazil through Oct. 6. https://t.co/fuqfco1mld @WashBlade

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

@daveweigel Love Who Weekly! It embraces the absurdity of modern media

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

Source for stats: The Trevor Project & Glisten report

https://t.co/MeD6nD6Yf1

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

🎒 Nearly a third of trans students missed at least 1 day of school in the last month bc of safety concerns

📙 When trans students had more supportive educators or classes with positive depictions of LGBTQ+ people or topics, they had higher estimated GPAs

1/3

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

📣 Trans students reported high levels of activism, with over half (51%) having led at least one activism activity.

The news can be depressing, but taking action is possible.

2/3

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

Transgender youth healthcare is considered safe and beneficial by all leading medical associations in the US.

[Them @them]

At least six hospitals have chosen to close programs and take penalties rather than uphold gender-affirming care for minors. https://t.co/08oe6tJpBy

[Gillian Branstetter @GBBranstetter]

I feel so big sister towards her because who is this man. What are his intentions, his prospects. What do you mean his real name is Tucker Pillsbury

[Gillian Branstetter @GBBranstetter]

Republicans won in 2024 arguing Democrats were too obsessed with trans people to focus on the economy. As billionaires like Elon Musk flood the airwaves with anti-trans ads amid Trump's own floundering economy, Democrats have a chance to flip the tables. My latest for @thenation

[Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen @TransRigo]

@treeaston She can do no wrong

[Sarah McBride @SarahEMcBride]

I am always so proud to represent Delaware and Delawareans.

Nothing - and certainly not politicians seeking to go viral - will ever distract me from my laser focus on lowering the cost of gas, groceries, housing, childcare, and healthcare.