Stephanie Byers - The Outwords Archive

Side-by-side photo of Stephanie’s Chickasaw Great Grandmother, Nancy Byers (age 16, left) and Stephanie. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie (far right), her parents, and her three younger brothers, 1972. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Sepia-tones photo of Stephanie in High School Choir at a desk among peers inNorman, Oklahoma, 1980. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Yearbook photo of Stephanie Byers (black suit with guitar) in “Anything Goes performed at Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma, 1980. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie’s senior high school picture in Norman, Oklahoma, 1981. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Photo of older teen Lori Haas (L) and Stephanie Byers (R, with guitar) singing together at a wedding, in Norman, Oklahoma, circa 1983. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie and her son, Braden, 2009. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie and her son, Adam, 2012. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie and her motorcycle, Wichita Toy Run, in Wichita, Kansas, 2012. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie in San Diego, California, 2013. Stephanie shares this was the, “first time spending a full week as myself.” Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie and her sons, Braden and Adam; Daughter-in-law, Heather; and two of her grandchildren, 2014. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie and work colleagues at Wichita High School North, Kansas, 2014. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

“Kansas LGBTQ+ Leadership Conference Keynote Speaker” flier featuring a portrait of Stephanie Byers. Stephanie shares that at this conference she was presented with the Lavender Alumnus Award for the class of 2015. At Kansas State University, in Manhattan, Kansas, 2015. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie smiles with her wife, Lori Haas, at a Joan Jett concert, Kansas State Fair, Kansas, 2015. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie and Lori Haas harvesting grapes at Prairie Fire Winery in Paxico, Kansas, 2015. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie Byers and Lori Haas proudly smile and hold up a Las Vegas, Nevada “JUSTWED” license plate on their wedding day in Las Vegas, Nevada, 2015. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

L-R: Stephanie Byers and Lori Has with Stephanie’s parents in Arizona, 2016. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie speaking on the steps of the Kansas State Capitol, 2016. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie and baby granddaughter, Skye, in Wichita, Kansas, 2016. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie Byers, flanked by the Trans and Rainbow Pride flags, speaks at a podium on the steps of the Kansas State Capitol, in Topeka, Kansas, 2017. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie Byers and Rosario Dawson at the GLSEN Respect Awards in New York City, New York, 2018. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie answering reporter questions on the Red Carpet for the GLSEN Respect Awards, in New York City, New York, 2018. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie Byers smiles with wife Lori Haas in Times Square in New York City, New York, 2018. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie Byers as a groomswoman in the marriage of Aaron and Gary, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, 2018. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Lori Haas drives Stephanie (backseat, standing) joyfully waves to passerby in her beloved Mini Cooper Roadster Convertible in the Wichita Pride Parade, Kansas, 2018. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie receives the State Educator of the Year award from GLSEN in Wichita, Kansas, 2018. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie speaks at the Respect Awards in New York City as she receives the National Educator of the Year from GLSEN, New York City, New York, 2018. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie and a number of her family members at her final concert at Wichita North High School, Wichita, Kansas, 2019. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie at the retirement parade from Wichita High School North, in Wichita, Kansas, 2019. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie Byers (at the driver’s wheel) drives then Kansas Lieutenant Governor, Lynn Rogers (backseat) and his wife Kris (passenger, front seat) in the Wichita Pride Parade, Wichita, Kansas, 2019. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie speaking on the sidewalk in front of the US Supreme Court Building on October 8, 2019, Washington DC. Inside the building, oral arguments were taking place for Bostock v Clayton County. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie speaking to Family Physicians on being transgender in Wichita, Kansas, 2019. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie speaking inside the Kansas State Capitol for Equality Day in Topeka, Kansas, 2020. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie signs the official paperwork to file for office, Kansas Secretary of State office, in Topeka, Kansas, 2020. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie speaks to several unions at Prairie Band Casino, in Topeka, Kansas, 2020. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie learns she just won the general election for Kansas House of Representatives, District 86, in Wichita, Kansas, 2020. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie speaks in committee on a bill to change “Columbus Day” to “Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” in Topeka, Kansas, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie speaks to reporters inside the Kansas Capitol in Topeka, Kansas, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie performs in the Kansas Capitol for Music in Our Schools Month, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie being interviewed following a “brutal” session on the House floor in Topeka, Kansas, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie (3rd from the left) in comic book form. These are the seven freshmen Democratic legislators in the 2021 Kansas House who became known as the Sunflower Sisters. At the Old Supreme Court Chamber, Kansas State Capitol, Topeka, Kansas, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie (3rd from the left) with the other Sunflower Sisters dressed in Pride Flag colors surrounding Governor Laura Kelly, Cedarcrest (Governor’s Mansion), in Topeka, Kansas, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie speaking at McPherson Pride in McPherson, Kansas, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie receives the Diversity and Equity award from the Wichita Business Journal, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie speaks at Wichita Pride in Wichita, Kansas, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie and Lori at the Rainbow Crosswalk in Galveston, Texas, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie speaks at the 51 Years Out event at University of Kansas, in Lawrence, Kansas, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie and US Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, Washington DC, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie speaking on a panel of elected transgender legislators, Washington DC, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie giving a speech for Andrea Jenkins for her induction into the LGBTQ Leaders Hall Of Fame, in Washington, DC, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie presents the LGBTQ Leaders Hall of Fame award to Andrea Jenkins, in Washington, DC, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie on a street corner in Tombstone, Arizona, 2021. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie (3rd from the right) and others in the Governor’s Ceremonial Office for the signing of Kansas First Proclamation for Transgender Day of Visibility at the Kansas Capitol, in Topeka, Kansas, 2022. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie and Congresswoman Sharice Davids, Washington Days, in Topeka, Kansas, 2022. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie speaking at Equality Rally to defeat a ban on trans girls in sports at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, Kansas, 2022. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie giving opposition testimony in a committee hearing for a bill to ban trans girls in sports. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie gives testimony in committee on a bill to repatriate a Native American cemetery to the Shawnee Tribe, at the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, Kansas, 2022. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie performs at the Kansas State Capitol for Music in our Schools Month, in Topeka, Kansas, 2022. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie speaks at the well of the Kansas House Chamber in an attempt to defeat a bill that would ban trans girls from sports at the Kansas State Capitol, in Topeka, Kansas, 2022. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie Byers (center, gray suit jacket) rejoices with other legislators after the final vote would allow the Governor’s veto of the ban on trans girls in sports to stand at the Kansas State Capitol, in Topeka, Kansas. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Close up side portrait of Stephanie with lavender hair in a jean jacket from a photo shoot for Southern Poverty Law Center’s 2022 Report. Topeka, Kansas, 2022. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie in a rainbow ribbon skirt and jean jacket, from Southern Poverty Law Center’s 2022 Report photo shoot. Topeka, Kansas, 2022. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Photo of Stephanie Byers’ parents looking at a display of “2SLGBT+ Change Makers” with a large photo of Stephanie herself, in the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 2022. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Family photo of a smiling Stephanie Byers (second from right), her parents (left), and sons (far left, and right) in Wichita, Kansas, 2022. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

L-R Group photo of: Stephanie Byers, Andy Mara, and Emmet Schelling at the White House for Pride in Washington, DC, 2022. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie Byers smiles and hugs with her wife Lori Haas outside a rainbow painted front door in Dublin, Ireland, 2022. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Group photo of Stephanie Byers (left), Taylor Small, Zooey Zephyr, and Brianna Titone - all trans, state legislators at the Victory Institute in Washington, DC, 2022. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie Byers (far left) with her brothers and parents (center) in San Tan Valley, Arizona, 2012. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie Byers (left) smiles with her wife Lori Haas at the “All In For Equality” Rally at the Texas State Capitol, in Austin, Texas, 2023. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Mural of Stephanie Byers “Choose to live a life out of love” found within exam room 1 at M-Care Healthcare Clinic in Wichita, Kansas. Mural credit: Heather Byers, Stephanie’s daughter-in-law. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie Byers (L) with wife Lori Haas at a Trans Day of Visibility Rally at the Bexar County Courthouse in San Antonio, Texas, 2023.Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie poses in front of angel wings with devil horns “Feels good to be bad! Come fly with me!” mural. At the LGBTQ Leaders of the Americas and Caribbean Conference in Mexico City, Mexico, 2023. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie Byers (back row, second from left) performing with the Pride of San Antonio Showband in San Antonio, Texas, October 2023. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie smiles in trans-flag colored beaded earrings, while at a speaking event at Kansas City Community College in Kansas City, Kansas, 2023. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie Byers (far left) and the Pride of San Antonio ShowBand low brass section smile with their brass instruments amidst a dancing Santa and Elf photo frame. In San Antonio, Texans, December 2023. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

R-L: Smiling family photo of Stephanie Byers with her wife Lori Haas, and their two oldest grandchildren, Kenzie and Riley, at Luckenbach, Texas, 2024. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Byers.

Stephanie Byers was born on February 5th, 1963, in Norman, Oklahoma, to a mother she describes as a “firecracker” and a gentle, studious father of Chickasaw and Irish descent. The oldest of six kids, Stephanie knew she was transgender since kindergarten. By the age of 10, she was secretly trying on girl’s clothing in her room at night. By sixth grade, she confirmed to herself who she was. However, she wouldn’t start coming out publicly until she was 50 years old.

Stephanie received her bachelor’s degree in music education in 1986 from Oklahoma Christian University, and later a master’s of music from Kansas State University in 2015. From 1986-2019, she was a dutiful music teacher in schools across the midwest, where she served as the Fine Arts Department Chair at Wichita North High School. When she came out as transgender at age 51 in 2014, despite protests by the notorious Westboro Baptist Church, her school district fully supported her transition, even decorating the school rainbow for a pep rally. She went on to win the Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)’s National Educator of the Year award in 2018.

In 2019, while serving as spokesperson for Wichita Pride, multiple people told Stephanie that she should run for office. It also just so happened that the representative of her district had stepped down, and the seat was open. Stephanie wasn’t convinced, but after speaking at a “Don’t Roll Back Our Rights” ACLU rally outside of the United States Supreme Court, she realized she could make more of a difference as a legislator, and decided to run for the Kansas House of Representatives.

Stephanie became the first transgender person to be elected to the Kansas legislature, and the first transgender Native American ever elected to office in the US. After winning her election, Stephanie fought on the Kansas House Floor against the bill to ban trans girls from competing in athletics that align with their gender, citing it as one of her proudest moments as a legislative official.

Stephanie referred to her term in the legislature as “tough.” She received her share of transphobic hate, including direct attacks from Representative Cheryl Helmer, who claimed to be uncomfortable sharing a bathroom with her despite having done so many times. Stephanie ultimately decided not to run for re-election due to the need to move out of state to care for aging parents.

Despite the struggles, Stephanie has found ways to thrive on her own terms. She is married to her childhood best friend, Lori, a marriage and family therapist whose clientele is 90% transgender. Today, Stephanie and Lori live in Texas, where they run their own company training various workplaces, groups, and educational settings on engaging with diverse communities. In her OUTWORDS interview, Stephanie speaks to how her guiding principle of love has charted the course of her life: “I decided a long time ago that I was going to live my life out of love and not out of fear. Everything I have done has been out of love. Love for people like me, love for the kid who’s so deep in the closet that nobody knows, and nobody might know until they’re 50, but they know there’s somebody out there that fights for them.”

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