Monica Katrice Roberts (May 4, 1962 – October 5, 2020) was an American journalist and transgender rights activist. Roberts was founding editor of the award-winning blog TransGriot.
Background
Roberts grew up in Houston, Texas, graduating from Jones High School in 1980 and University of Houston in 1984. Roberts was a United Airlines Customer Service Representative from 1987 to 2001.
Roberts’ writing appeared at the Bilerico Project, Ebony.com, The Huffington Post and the Advocate. Roberts began writing TransGriot as a column in 2004, then as a standalone blog in 2006.
Roberts was honored many times for this work:
- IFGE Trinity Award (2006)
- Virginia Prince Transgender Pioneer Award (2015)
- Phillips Brooks House Association’s Robert Coles Call of Service Award (2016)
- HRC John Walzel Equality Award (2017)
- GLAAD Media Awards (2016 and 2018)
- Out 100 (2019)
Roberts was critical of medical and religious leaders who are critical of the transgender rights movement, including Paul McHugh. Roberts also raised the voices of trans women of color who were important historical figures in online activism, including Roberta Angela Dee.
References
Schmidt, Samantha (October 9, 2020). Monica Roberts, a pioneering transgender activist and journalist from Houston, dies at 58. Washington Post https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/09/monica-roberts-transgender-activist/
All Things Considered (October 9, 2020). Transgender Rights Advocate And Journalist Monica Roberts Dies At 58. NPR https://www.npr.org/2020/10/09/922375866/transgender-rights-advocate-and-journalist-monica-roberts-dies-at-58
Bote, Joshua (October 9, 2020). ‘A trailblazing voice’: Monica Roberts, influential trans journalist and activist, dies at 58. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/10/09/trans-journalist-monica-roberts-founder-transgriot-dies/5939542002/
Guerra, Joey (October 8, 2020). Monica Roberts, a towering advocate for transgender rights in Houston and beyond, dies. Houston Chronicle https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/features/article/Monica-Roberts-a-towering-advocate-for-15632154.php
Kurutz, Steven (October 13, 2020). Monica Roberts, Transgender Advocate and Journalist, Dies at 58. New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/13/us/monica-roberts-dead.html
Shey, Brittanie (January 30, 2018). 8 Houston Women to Watch on Social Media. Houstonia Magazine https://www.houstoniamag.com/articles/2018/1/30/houston-women-social-media
Roberts, Monica (November 05, 2007). Why Is The Catholic Church Hatin’ On Transpeople? TransGriot. https://transgriot.blogspot.com/2007/11/why-is-catholic-church-hatin-on.html
Resources
TransGriot (transgriot.blogspot.com)
Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
CFAIR (cfair.blogspot.com)