Estefan Cortes-Vargas

Estefan Cortes-Vargas, born in 1995, is a trailblazing Colombian-born Canadian politician and non-profit administrator. Elected in the 2015 Alberta general election, they represent the electoral district of Strathcona-Sherwood Park as a member of the Alberta New Democratic Party.

Upon their election, Cortes-Vargas made history by becoming one of the first three out LGBT individuals elected to the Alberta legislature, joining colleagues Michael Connolly and Ricardo Miranda. Their election marked a significant milestone as they became the first openly trans, non-binary, queer Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Canada.

In addition to their groundbreaking identity, Cortes-Vargas holds the distinction of being the first Colombian-Canadian MLA and the youngest government whip in Alberta at the age of twenty-four. Their achievements reflect a series of historical firsts in Canadian politics, paving the way for greater representation and inclusivity.