For as long as I can remember, I’ve turned to art to help me feel less alone in the world. In that regard, 2025 was no different than any previous year. Here are some of my favorite works from this past year. I hope they bring you the same sense of purpose that they’ve brought me. 💙

Benny and I are wishing y’all a very merry Christmas! 💚🎄

I’m running for re-election in 2026! I believe in this city and I believe in what makes it great—you, the people who call it home. Lexington belongs to ALL of us. 💙 #EmmaForLex

Tonight, Gary Clemons—a progressive Democrat, veteran, and union president—was elected to serve KY’s 37th State Senate District. He won with a whopping +45 point margin in a purple district that Kamala Harris only won by a +5 point margin. Don’t EVER tell me Kentucky isn’t worth fighting for. 💙

The Trump administration: “RADICAL TRANS LEFTISTS ARE TRYING TO ERASE WOMEN” Also the Trump administration: “WE WILL CUT YOUR FUNDING IF YOU SAY THE WORD ‘WOMEN’” 🙄

Grateful every day to live a life of service to my neighbors in Lexington’s 4th District 💙

Thinking of Rep. Lamin Swann today on what would have been his 48th birthday. Lamin was the first person who made me believe that I could run for office. He made me understand that our identities aren’t obstacles to be overcome, but superpowers to be embraced. I miss him today and every day 💙

For the first time since 1988, the US government won’t acknowledge #WorldAIDSDay. It’s another attack from the Trump administration against our neighbors living with HIV/AIDS. In Lexington, we’re acknowledging World AIDS Day, as well as continuing to fund local prevention and treatment efforts.

Central Kentucky deserves congressional representation that serves ALL of us—not just a privileged few. That’s why we need to send @cherlynnforky.bsky.social to Washington. 💙

This past year has been filled with too many blessings to count. Whether we talk every day or we’ve not yet spoken, if you’re reading this—I’m thankful you’re here. Our world is better with you in it. Benny and I are wishing you and yours a lovely Thanksgiving! 💙

JD Vance should take his own advice and “go back to where [he] came from.” He ain’t from Kentucky and he doesn’t represent our values.

Tonight, I attended Lexington’s #TDOR vigil to honor those we’ve lost to transphobia and announce that we are now the first city in Kentucky to formally recognize #TransDayOfRemembrance. No matter what happens at the state or federal level, Lexington will continue to cherish our trans community. 💙

The American healthcare system is deeply broken. Lexington’s Council can’t fix it alone, but we can show up for our neighbors who’ve been exploited by it. That’s why we just eliminated $12,641,416.24 of medical debt for 6,484 Lexingtonians in need—with more to come. 💙

Lexington Councilwomen 🤝 Louisville Councilwomen Grateful to the Louisville Metro Council Women’s Caucus for hosting the women of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council this week to discuss nonpartisanship, collaboration, and the issues impacting women in our cities.

It was a joy to spend this afternoon speaking with the 2025 class of Leadership Lexington about local government and how we can all make tiny changes that have a big impact! 💙

This Veterans Day, I’m grateful to all who have served our country in uniform. They deserve our support not just in our words, but in our actions. That means ensuring they have access to the healthcare they’re owed, the good-paying jobs they deserve, and the very freedoms they fought to protect.

One year ago, my neighbors in District Four put their faith in me to serve as their Councilwoman. It remains the honor of my life. Our campaign dared to believe that Lexington can be a city that works for ALL of us—not just a select few. One day at a time, we’re making that belief a reality. 💙

Please join me in praying for our neighbors in Louisville and everyone affected by this tragedy…

I’m humbled and grateful (and, admittedly, super geeked) to be formally commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel 💙

Happy Halloween! I hope your day is filled with spooky fun, festive friendship, and lots of fresh black coffee 🍂☕️

Had a great time passing out candy to students at Southern Elementary’s (indoor) trunk-or-treat tonight! 🎃👻 Many thanks to the remarkable teachers, staff, parents, and volunteers who came out to give our kids a wonderful night of Halloween fun.

One of my predecessors often said “you ought to be proud of the place you live and live so that place is proud of you.” To me, what’s most inspiring about @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social’s rise is how much love and pride he shows for his city and his neighbors. It’s something we should all aspire to.

“There’s a power in a union, there’s a power inside” Had a great time speaking at the KY AFL-CIO’s Young Workers Summit this morning about how we can build a future that works for ALL of us—not just the ultra-wealthy. 💙✊

Today, Council unanimously approved funding for a roundabout feasibility study, traffic circle quick build program, and crosswalk signal improvement study. I couldn’t be more proud. I know it’s hard to feel right now, but I promise—we can still do good things when we show up and do the work. 💙

Rather than show one iota of respect for trans students, the University of Kentucky is choosing to throw them to the wolves. These changes exceed state and federal requirements, pushing trans students off campus and accelerating the housing crisis in our city that UK helped create. Truly shameful.

I was interviewed by @lemonde.fr, a leading international newspaper, about trans life in a “red state.” I spoke of the manufactured dehumanization of trans folks—but also of the need to fix Lexington’s broken roads and lower our rental costs. These issues aren’t contradictory—they’re inseparable.

No.

I have no room in my heart for hate 💙

Shanah Tovah to every Lexingtonian celebrating Rosh Hashanah! Wishing y’all a happy and healthy new year 🍎🍯

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death, political leaders have rightfully called for an end to political and gun violence. But many have done so while, in the same breath, whitewashing the violent rhetoric that Kirk espoused and calling for more violence. That is unconscionable and it’s dangerous.

Political violence is never acceptable. We can never allow it to become acceptable. Never. Period. End of story. Praying for everyone impacted by today’s tragic shooting in Utah.

It was a blessing to attend the Bluegrass Central Labor Council’s annual #LaborDay picnic. Working people are what make our city and our commonwealth great. I’ll always stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in the fight for fairness, safety, and dignity for all workers. #ItsBetterInAUnion 💙✊

Here in Lexington, we love our neighbors—even when the President of the United States tells us not to. Lexington belongs to ALL of us.

Last night, Council passed my Solar ZOTA amendments, which will help prevent pollution, protect our soil, and preserve our land. Today, I met with local ag leaders to tour their facilities and discuss their needs. You can take the girl out of the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the girl💙🌾

I spent the first 25 years of my life living someone else’s life. Now I’m living the life that I want. Nights like these remind me how lucky I am and I wouldn’t trade this little life of mine for the world. Thanks for the memories and immaculate vibes @emmacurtis.bsky.social!

This week, Council returned from the summer recess period and I got to keep doing what I love most—showing up to fight for my neighbors in South Lexington. Swipe through to see some of what I’ve been up to this week 👉 (1/2)

As a kid, I always struggled to sleep. Usually, I’d lay awake watching The Black Parade is Dead!, in awe as Gerard Way sang “you should have raised a baby girl, I could’ve been a better son.” That kid is still a part of me—and she can’t believe she gets to see The Black Parade in person tonight 🖤🤘

There’s nothing like the first day of school. I was grateful to join the students, teachers, and staff at Southern Elementary today to welcome everyone back—I even got to help out with lunchroom duty! Wishing our FCPS students, teachers, and support staff a phenomenal first day and school year 📚💙

Throughout my campaign, I promised that I would fight to give renters, young folks, and everyone who’d been left out of Lexington’s government a seat at the table. As a member of the newly-formed Boards & Commissions Subcommittee, I’ll continue to keep that promise. Lexington belongs to ALL of us.

There is nothing patriotic about this, nothing that makes our military stronger, nothing that helps our veterans. It is a cruel betrayal of distinguished service members—and it won’t end here. Whatever we allow them to do to trans people, they will do to any group of people that they do not like.

Thinkin’ that Lexington doesn’t belong to ALL of us? Oh, you better believe you’re goin’ on the bitin’ list… #emmaforlex #bitinlist #tylerchilders

I used to be afraid of birthdays, but with time I’ve realized what a gift it is to be able to put another year under my belt. Thank you so much to everyone who’s made this past year so unforgettable! And friendly reminder—the only “trans agenda” is an average life expectancy. 💙

No matter what circumstances we’re born into, we are all children of God. Whether in Lexington or in Gaza, no child deserves to go hungry. If we can’t agree on that, what is it that we can agree on?

Crime has gone down in Lexington because we’ve invested in housing-first programs and built mental health services into our public safety strategy. This EO threatens that progress, while laying the groundwork for the mass internment of our neighbors. Don’t let anybody tell you that this is normal.

We have to fight this crap at every level. In May, Council unanimously approved my legislation requiring a review of the City of Lexington’s AI Policy. You can bet your ass that this trans elected official will fight to stop any of our city’s resources going towards the erasure of trans existence.

Not just cowardly, but cruel. Mayor Greenberg should be ashamed.

As a scared kid in a hostile environment, I found Ozzy Osbourne’s music at just the right time. It gave me a healthy outlet to express the fear, anger, and hurt I struggled with but couldn’t put into words. I’m forever grateful for that gift. Blaring my favorite Sabbath tune today in his memory 🖤🤘

There is nothing more punk rock in the world than empathy and kindness. You will never convince me otherwise.

This morning, two of our neighbors lost their lives and three more—including a State Trooper—were injured in a series of shootings that took place at Bluegrass Airport and Richmond Road Baptist Church. (1/3)

Last week, Council had our final meetings before adjourning for the summer recess. Swipe through to see some highlights 👉 (1/2)