Born: 1962 (Houston, Texas)
Biography:
Monica Katrice Roberts was an African-American blogger, writer, and transgender rights advocate. Born on May 4, 1962, in Houston, Texas, she grew up in a segregated society. Her mother was a schoolteacher, and her father was a DJ. Roberts attended Jones High School in the Houston Independent School District, graduating in 1980. She then went on to pursue higher education at the University of Houston, earning her degree in 1984.
Roberts began her career as an airline gate agent in Houston, but it was in 1993-1994 that she embarked on her gender transition. This period marked a significant turning point in her life and ultimately set her on the path of advocacy and activism.
Roberts became actively involved in the transgender rights movement, becoming a founding member of the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition. From 1999 to 2002, she served as its Lobby Chair, working tirelessly to bring about changes in policies and legislation that would protect and advance the rights of transgender individuals.
Recognizing the need for more representation and support for trans people of color, Roberts made significant contributions to the LGBTQ+ community in Louisville, Kentucky. She served on the board of the Fairness Campaign and its political action committee, C-FAIR. In 2005 and 2006, Roberts organized the Transsistahs-Transbrothas Conference, providing a platform for the voices and experiences of trans individuals from diverse backgrounds.
In 2004, Roberts began writing a newspaper column called TransGriot for The Letter, an LGBT newspaper based in Louisville. The term griot refers to a West African storyteller, reflecting her commitment to chronicling the history and experiences of Black transpeople. However, after a conflict with an advertiser over her writing, the column was taken away from her. Undeterred, Roberts founded the TransGriot blog in 2006, allowing her to address community issues more freely and with greater control.
One of the key focuses of TransGriot was to highlight and honor transgender homicide victims, many of whom are misgendered in police reports and media coverage. Roberts’ work brought national attention to the issue and played a significant role in raising awareness about the violence and discrimination faced by transgender individuals.
Throughout her writing, Roberts explored the intersections of cissexism and racism, shedding light on the experiences of Black trans individuals and challenging societal norms and assumptions. In her work, she fearlessly confronted privilege and called out injustice, drawing parallels between the criticism she faced as a trans woman and the experiences of marginalized communities.
Monica Roberts’ advocacy and writing made a lasting impact on the transgender rights movement and the broader discourse on race and gender. Her dedication to telling the stories of marginalized individuals has contributed greatly to the visibility and empowerment of transgender people, particularly those of African-American and other women of color.
Awards:
– In 2006, Roberts was honored with the IFGE Trinity Award, the transgender community’s highest meritorious service award. As the first African-American Texan and the third African-American openly trans person to receive this prestigious recognition, Roberts was recognized for her outstanding service to the transgender community.
– In 2015, she received the Virginia Prince Transgender Pioneer Award from Fantasia Fair, further cementing her status as a groundbreaking advocate and trailblazer in the transgender community. Roberts became the first African-American openly trans person to be bestowed with this honor.
Monica Roberts’ tireless dedication to transgender rights, her groundbreaking advocacy, and her incisive writing have left an indelible mark on women’s history and continue to inspire future generations of activists.