Philadelphia's director of LGBT affairs is making history

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- When Celena Morrison took office as the director of LGBT affairs in Philadelphia, she didn't know she was making history.

"I had a 'me' moment. Like, me? These people are looking up to me?" said Morrison. "Growing up, I didn't see anyone who represented me, who I was as a kid."

She came out to her family as transgender at age 12. When she was 16, "I was told that I would be, my only option of making money would be sex work, and that is something that I've carried with me throughout this whole journey."

When Celena Morrison took office as the director of the LGBT affairs in Philadelphia, she didn't know she was making history.

In 2020, she became the first openly transgender person to ever lead an office in the city. Her appointment came days before the city shut down due to COVID-19.

She spent her first year in office trying to reach those struggling from the pandemic, with virtual events and food drives.