Aimee Stephens, a trans woman currently at the center of an historic civil rights SCOTUS case, passed away on Tuesday. Her case concerns whether trans and gender non-conforming people are covered by a federal anti-discrimination law that bans job discrimination on the basis of sex.
Stephens worked as a funeral director for nearly 6 years. After telling her employer in 2013 that she was transitioning, Stephens was fired. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Stephens’ employer unlawfully fired her because she’s transgender. Her employer then brought the case to the Supreme Court. It's the first case regarding the civil rights of trans people to be heard by the Supreme Court. A verdict on the case is expected imminently.
Stephens died on May 12 at her home in Detroit. She had kidney disease for several years. A GoFundMe was set up last week to raise money for her end-of-life costs. [CNN]