Congressional Recognition of Monica Katrice Roberts

Floor Speech

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Mr. GREEN of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask for posthumous Congressional Recognition for Monica Katrice Roberts, a self-proclaimed proud, unapologetic Black transgender woman who spoke truth to power and told the often-neglected stories of the world around her. Monica Katrice Roberts was born on May 4, 1962, in Houston, Texas, to Mable and Rick Roberts; she is survived by her mother, one brother, two sisters, and a host of brothers, sisters, and gender nonconforming loved ones in the movement she courageously committed herself to.

Monica Katrice Roberts began her career as a writer and unwavering transgender activist, launching the TransGriot in 2006 and committing herself to her life's calling as a storyteller for transgender persons who often had no voice in media. Monica Katrice Roberts was especially committed to accurately capturing the stories of Black transgender women who are disproportionately brutalized and violently killed and are overlooked or often misgendered by mainstream media. Monica Katrice Roberts received many awards for her noteworthy journalism--as Founding Managing Editor of TransGriot and her work with the Bilerico Project, Ebony, Huffington Post, and The Advocate--as well as her extraordinary activism, including the Virginia Prince Transgender Pioneer Award, the Robert Coles Call of Service Award, the Barbara Jordan Breaking Barriers Award, and the 2020 Susan J. Hyde Award for Longevity in the Movement.

Monica Katrice Roberts will be greatly missed for her fierce leadership, unapologetic demeanor, storytelling, activism, and unwavering commitment to the transgender community. It is my honor to commemorate her life and legacy before this legislative body.

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