News broke this week that groundbreaking journalist Monica Roberts recently passed away at the age of 58. She was a beloved hero of the Black trans community in particular and her award-winning blog TransGriot was among the first dedicated to covering Black trans women’s issues to gain such a large following. Reactions and remembrances of the journalist have been flooding social media.
Trans community public figures spoke to Roberts’ influence on their lives.
Author and director Janet Mock
Monica Roberts held us down — the first to defend, to celebrate, to amplify. I would not be where I am without Her — a big sister who told it like it was, who centered Black trans lives, brilliance & history unapologetically. Rest well sis. Thank you. https://t.co/pXVRiTcSoQ pic.twitter.com/Gqsvw8ujlK
— Janet Mock
VOTE
Actress and businesswoman Angelica Ross
2020…WHEW…had the honor of presenting Monica Roberts with a @glaad award a few years back. Here she is accepting her well deserved acknowledgement for her contributions to our community. I’ll miss that laugh. You won’t be forgotten
Rest in Powerhttps://t.co/vPkOXUgDlZ
— Angelica Ross (@angelicaross) October 8, 2020
Actress and writer Jen Richards
I am gutted by the news of @TransGriot’s passing. Monica Roberts was a light for everyone involved in the fight for trans justice, a warm spirit with a bawdy sense of humor and merciless intolerance for bullshit. She was an tower amongst us and will be profoundly missed.
— Jen Richards (@SmartAssJen) October 8, 2020
Journalist and podcaster Tre’vell Anderson
Monica Roberts (@TransGriot) was the first unapologetically trans person I saw at a @NABJ convention. Her work to tell our stories was vital. Her blog was often the only one to chronicle the Black trans experience with the rigor, fervor and regularity we deserve. This hurts.
— Tre’vell Anderson (@TrevellAnderson) October 8, 2020
Politicians lifted up Roberts’ advocacy work.
U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas
Monica Roberts was a dear friend, trailblazer and a tireless advocate for Trans-rights. She was founding editor of #TransGriot, the nation’s first blog focusing on issues pertaining to trans women, particularly of color. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/kIAr68Qe3A
— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) October 8, 2020
Although she was known nationally, she never failed to lend her platform to support those in need. She was our shero. Rest in power, my prayers go out to her family, friends and to all who knew her. 3/3
— Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) October 8, 2020
U.S. Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia of Texas
1/ Monica Roberts was a friend, a fighter, and a giant in the movement for the rights and dignity of the transgender community. It was the honor of my life to fight alongside her, when in 2017 we pushed back against the transphobic bathroom bill in the Texas Senate. pic.twitter.com/DuoOwLeu7O
— Rep. Sylvia Garcia (@RepSylviaGarcia) October 8, 2020
3/ In honor of our dear Monica, I won’t stop fighting until all Americans can live safely, peacefully, and reach their full potential. Rest in Peace my friend.
Read my full statement
pic.twitter.com/75LTL9mGe8
— Rep. Sylvia Garcia (@RepSylviaGarcia) October 8, 2020
Delaware Senate candidate Sarah McBride
Monica Roberts was a pioneer in advocacy, journalism, and in our community. She called on and empowered us to be better versions of ourselves. We are all indebted to her. https://t.co/DpNOpx4rdb
— Sarah McBride (@SarahEMcBride) October 8, 2020
Virginia House of Delegates representative Danica Roem
What an absolutely heartbreaking loss for our community.
Monica Roberts was so relentlessly passionate about trans empowerment and liberation and *so* supportive of trans candidates for office.
I’m grateful for her kindness and the infectious joy she radiated in NOLA at #NN18. https://t.co/p2dmL2biy5
— Danica Roem (@pwcdanica) October 8, 2020
Non-profit organizations expressed their condolences.
The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union)
Monica Roberts spent her life creating community for so many of us. She will be deeply missed.
Rest in power, Monica. https://t.co/KOvjCJJQcO
— ACLU (@ACLU) October 9, 2020
Lambda Legal
We are devastated by the loss of Monica Roberts. There are no sufficient words to define her. A ferocious advocate who pushed media boundaries & did incomparable work documenting the lives, experiences, and losses of Black trans women and all trans people. May she rest in power.
— Lambda Legal (@LambdaLegal) October 8, 2020
LGBTQ Victory Fund
We’re heartbroken by the loss of Monica Roberts, who was an unmatched force for change in Houston and the world. https://t.co/BiyCSi95SI
— LGBTQ Victory Fund (@VictoryFund) October 9, 2020
Transgender Law Center
The impact of Monica Roberts' work lives on in the hearts of every trans person today who gets to live in our truth because of her labor. She saw the value of trans lives before so many would. We will never forget you, Monica.
— TransgenderLawCenter (@TransLawCenter) October 9, 2020
Many more people and organizations are expressing their grief at this monumental loss for the LGBTQ community and LGBTQ journalism. Sadly, the final tweet of Roberts herself expressed how much she was looking forward to voting next week.
Just hit me I’ve been voting in elections for local, state and national candidates since 1980.
And can’t wait until October 13…#FireTrump #FireTheGOP #FireTheTXGOP pic.twitter.com/gUd2MkAPs9
— Monica Roberts (@TransGriot) October 6, 2020
Tagg Magazine joins our fellow LGBTQ media outlets in our appreciation for Monica Roberts’ work and life and urges our readers to vote as was her wish.