FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Angela Hale, Equality Texas, 512.289.2995 angela.hale@equalitytexas.org

Equality Texas Releases Statement from CEO Ricardo Martinez on the Death of Monica Roberts

Austin, Texas – October 8, 2020 – Equality Texas, the largest statewide organization solely dedicated to securing full equality for LGBTQ Texans, today released a statement from CEO Ricardo Martinez on the death of transgender activist Monica Roberts.

The Equality Texas family is devastated to learn of the death of trailblazing transgender activist Monica Roberts. Monica was part of our family and our dear friend and we have fought side by side at the Texas Capitol for two decades. Our hearts break tonight at her loss. We join our community across Texas and the transgender community across the country in mourning.

Monica was an award-winning journalist, who in 2006, launched the TransGriot blog as the founding editor. She was one of the first bloggers to center and accurately depict stories about communities of color. She was a force – a fearless, unapologetic Black trans woman who fought courageously for everyone’s human rights. She tapped into her authentic organizing frequency on the daily to disarm and connect with people on a human level. The ferocity, authenticity and passion she brought to our movement was unmatched and her legacy will live on for decades to come.

Last year, Equality Texas honored Monica Roberts as our first transgender activist of the year award during our 30th Anniversary Gala. In memory of her legacy and the contributions she has made to the LGBTQ community, Equality Texas will rename the award in her honor to the Monica Roberts Transgender Activist of the Year Award, so that her legacy will always live on and her larger than life presence and impact she had on our community will always be remembered.

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Equality Texas is the largest statewide organization working to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Texans through political action, education, community organizing, and collaboration. The Equality Texas Foundation works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Texans through education, community organizing, and collaboration.