Ashlee Marie Preston facts for kids

Ashlee Marie Preston is an American media personality, journalist, and activist. She is known for being the first trans woman to become editor-in-chief of a national magazine, Wear Your Voice Magazine. She was also the first openly trans person to run for a state office in California.

Ashlee was born in Kentucky. When she was 19, she moved to Los Angeles. She became well-known after speaking out to Caitlyn Jenner about her support for the Donald Trump administration. Ashlee has written for many publications. She has also been honored by different groups for her work as an activist.

Ashlee is very involved in the trans community in Los Angeles. She is part of several community groups. For example, she helps with communications for Los Angeles Pride. She also works with the Human Rights Campaign to reach out to the community. She supported Elizabeth Warren's campaign for president in 2020.

Ashlee Preston's Early Life

Ashlee Preston grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. She left her hometown when she was 19 years old. After moving to Los Angeles, she went through a period of being without a home. She has spoken about these challenges.

Ashlee Preston's Career and Activism

Ashlee Preston became widely known in 2017. This happened after she spoke to Caitlyn Jenner at an event. A video of this moment went viral online. In the video, Ashlee questioned Jenner's support for former US president Donald Trump.

Ashlee later left the Trans Chorus of L.A. She felt there was a difference between the group's stated goals and their actual actions. She also shared her concerns with TMZ. She worried about people like Jenner supporting political ideas that could harm the LGBTQ community. Ashlee explained to The Huffington Post that people who work against the LGBTQ+ community should not be in safe spaces meant for them.

In 2017, Ashlee Preston was named the first transgender editor of Wear Your Voice. This is a magazine focused on feminist topics. She is very active in the local trans community in Los Angeles. She has worked with the Transgender Service Provider Network of Los Angeles. She also chaired communications for L.A. Pride. Additionally, she is a community outreach member for the Human Rights Campaign.

Ashlee hosts a podcast called SHOOK with Ashlee Marie Preston on REVRY Studio. This podcast talks about issues like unfair treatment. She has also written for popular outlets such as Teen Vogue and Vice. In 2017, Ashlee was listed among the 100 most influential African-Americans by The Root.

Ashlee Preston has championed the online campaign #ThriveOver35. This campaign highlights the average life expectancy of Black trans women in the US. She brought attention to this cause on her 34th birthday. She ordered a cake with pictures of 77 Black transgender women. These women had been killed before reaching age 35.

She also led a movement to boycott the radio show The Breakfast Club. This happened after host Charlamagne tha God seemed to encourage a comedian to make harmful statements about trans women. Ashlee, along with Patrisse Cullors from the Black Lives Matter movement, protested at an event featuring Charlamagne tha God. This protest took place at Politicon.

Ashlee Preston's Political Involvement

In 2018, Ashlee Preston announced she would run for election. She aimed for a seat in California's 54th State Assembly district. This made her the first openly trans person to run for a statewide office in California's history. She later decided to withdraw from the race. She explained to The Daily Beast that she did not have enough time to prepare the kind of campaign needed for her unique candidacy. For the 2020 election, she supported Elizabeth Warren for president.

Ashlee Preston's Awards and Recognition

• The Root's 100 most influential African Americans of 2017
• PopSugar's 2017 top 40 LGBTQs
• Logo TV's NewNowNext 30 Most Influential LGBTQ Influencers of 2017 & 2018
• OUT Magazine's OUT100 of 2018
• Coca-Cola’s Next Generation LGBTQ Leadership influencers of 2018

Ashlee Preston's Film and TV Appearances

Films

Television Shows