Judge Phyllis Frye
Pioneering Texas trans rights activist Judge Phyllis Randolph Frye of Houston is one of three people being honored at the National Center for Transgender Equality’s 12th anniversary celebration, “The Tipping Point: An Evening to Celebrate and Inspire,” next month. Other honorees are Gabriel Foster and Kellan Baker.
Through her Houston-based law firm, Frye’s has for years fought in the courts and in the streets for the rights of trans people and the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people, too. In 2010, Frye became Texas’ first out transgender judge, and now, as senior partner with Frye, Oaks and Benavidez, PLLC, Frye devotes her practice exclusively to transgender clients. In 2010, Houston Mayor Annise Parker appointed Frye as an associate municipal judge.
Frye will receive NCTE’s Julie Johnson Founder’s Award.
Foster will receive the Community Builder Award in recognition of his work with the American Friends Service Committee. SPARK, Reproductive Justice Now, the Leeway Foundation and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project. Baker will receive the Andrew Cray Trans Health Advocacy Award for his work as a senior fellow with the LGBT Research and Communications Project at American Progress, where he strives to improve data collection regarding LGBT populations.
Amazon’s Golden Globe-winning TV show Transparent, starring Jeffrey Tambor,will be honored with The Culture Change Award.
The 12th anniversary event takes place from 6-9 p.m. May 11, at The Hamilton Live in Washington, D.C. For more information on attending or becoming a sponsor of the event, go here.