Monica Roberts

Monica Roberts, aka the TransGriot, is a native Texan, Houstonian and trailblazing leader in the transgender community back home in the Lone Star State after 8 years in Louisville, KY.

She’s a writer, blogger, history buff, and lecturer on transgender issues. Monica’s an advocate with a special emphasis on not only getting African-American transpeople and other voices of color more involved in empowering themselves, educating the GLBT community about our issues, but also shedding light about the struggles of GLBT people in Africa, Jamaica and across the Diaspora. Monica transitioned in 1994 and works diligently at educating and encouraging acceptance of transgender people in the larger African-American community as well.

Monica’s a founding member of NTAC, the National Transgender Advocacy Coalition and served on its inaugural board as its Lobby Chair from 1999-2002. She co-hosted a GLBT radio show in her hometown from 1999-2001, founded the Transsistahs-Transbrothas Internet discussion list for African-American transgender people in 2004, and helped organize the 2005 and 2006 Transsistahs-Transbrothas Conferences that took place in Louisville. She wrote a newspaper column from 2004-2007 for a Louisville GLBT paper and has blogged at TransGriot since January 1, 2006.

She’s a passionate advocate for transgender civil rights protection and has lobbied at the federal, state and local levels. Her advocacy efforts in 2003 earned her designation as a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Paul Patton. In 2006 she became the third African-American transperson to be given the Trinity Award, the transgender community’s second highest meritorious service award.

Giving honor to God, the Esteem Awards distinguished founder, judges, attendees of the awards ceremony, friends and allies.

I am pleased, excited and thankful that I am being honored with a 2011 Esteem Award in the Outstanding Service, Transgender - Nationals category and humbly accept it. I just wish I could be in Chicago during this festive Black Pride weekend in person to do so...

...It’s nice any time you receive an award that recognizes you for the work you do on behalf of others. It’s even more meaningful when that award comes from your own people

Thank you for honoring me with this 2011 Esteem Award.