National Center for Transgender Equality
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John,
It is with heavy hearts that we learn today of the passing of Aimee
Stephens. Stephens, the plaintiff in the groundbreaking case regarding
transgender discrimination in the workplace that made it all the way
to the Supreme Court of the United States, was the first transgender
person to have a civil rights complaint heard by the high court.
In the midst of her historic court case, Aimee once said that being
fired simply for being who she was the moment it finally hit home that
trans people weren't treated the same as everybody else and
decided it was time that somebody stood up and said enough is enough.
We are so grateful that Aimee was the one to step forward and put
herself in the spotlight to fight for justice for our community. Our
thoughts are with her beloved wife, Donna, and all those who loved her
and looked up to her. NCTE will continue to work to achieve equality
for transgender people across the country in her honor.
Aimee Stephens worked at Harris Funeral Homes in Michigan for six
years before coming out to her employer, who fired her explicitly
because she is transgender. Stephens successfully challenged the
firing at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and again at the
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, both of which ruled her dismissal was
in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which
prohibits sex discrimination in employment.
Aimee fought for equality, not just for herself, but for the whole
transgender community. The work she did will be remembered for
generations and will inspire countless people to take up their own
fight for equality and justice for all. May her memory be an
inspiration to us all.
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Mara Keisling
National Center for Transgender Equality
Executive Director
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National Center for Transgender Equality
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