Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance. Forty-one transgender people were reported murdered in the United States. Over 350 have been murdered worldwide. There are many more who go unreported or are misgendered. Most were women of color. There were four transgender men. At least five were 21 years of age and younger. I was emotionally drained later in the evening after attending a vigil.
I want to pay special tribute to Monica Roberts, a transgender activist and advocate who lived in Houston, Texas. Ms. Roberts passed away on October 5th of natural causes at 58. She was instrumental in my education about transgender people of color when I came out. Her blog, Trans Griot, which she created, was chock full of information about how trans people of color were an integral part of past and present LGBTQ movements.
Ms. Roberts was very vocal about the racial discrimination of transgender people in the criminal justice system. She made sure that who died were properly represented in their chosen gender. Ms. Roberts was instrumental in many changes which improved the lives of transgender people in the Houston area and beyond.
I corresponded with her for over a decade. I will miss her insight, honesty, and passion. RIP, MONICA!
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