Monica Katrice Roberts (May 4, 1962 – October 5, 2020) was an American journalist and transgender rights activist. She 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. She was a United Airlines Customer Service Representative from 1987 to 2001.
Her writing appeared at the Bilerico Project, Ebony.com, The Huffington Post and the Advocate. She began writing TransGriot as a column in 2004, then as a standalone blog in 2006.
Roberts was honored many times for her 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. She also raised the voices of trans women of color who were important historical figures in online activism, including Roberta Angela Dee.
References
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)
CFAIR (cfair.blogspot.com)