Brooke Guinan first transgender firefighter

Brooke Guinan is the first FDNY firefighter to come out as a trans woman.  Now she is an LGBTQ advocate for firefighters.

Transcript

00:00So I am the first openly identifying transgender firefighter that the New York City Fire Department has had.

00:08It was something that I never thought that I would do in my life, actually, because I was queer.

00:12And because I was trans, I never thought that it was something that was possible for me.

00:23I went to, you know, a regular sort of working five days a week schedule

00:27at headquarters, doing recruitment and diversity stuff within the department.

00:33And I did that for two years, really, while I was medically transitioning, until I felt comfortable.

00:41I went to a new firehouse, and I didn't have to come out because everyone knew.

00:47You know, at that point, when you're the only out trans person in the FDNY, word travels.

00:57I'm a third-generation firefighter, so my grandfather's retired. My father has over 37 years on the job.

01:12Don't let anyone tell you who to be or how to be.