Special tribute to be paid to trans rights activist who died at 25
A magical tribute is to be paid to a trans rights activist who died this week aged 25.
Rowan Feldhaus died on Tuesday due to complications during surgery, Lambda Legal announced.
The legal group had represented Feldhaus alongside Andrew Baumert in a lawsuit which in January saw them allowed by a Georgia appeals court to change their legal names.
A previous ruling had said that Feldhaus should choose a gender-neutral name in order to not confuse people.
“It was complications post surgery and then he was readmitted post surgery and it started snowballing from there,” his friend, Austin Atkins, said.
Feldhaus’ life will be celebrated in a wand ceremony on Monday May 22.
It will see friends and wellwishers carry wands and wear Harry Potter gear at the Augusta University’s Summerville Campus, where Feldhaus studied.
It will take place in front of Payne Hall, and an open invitation is issued on Facebook.
73 have already said they would attend with another 49 interested.
Attorney Beth Littrell, who represented Feldhaus said in a statement yesterday: “Because Rowan stood up, Georgia judges are now required to allow people to change their names without bias.”
Lambda Legal had given the men legal advice to appeal the decision.
“I’m beyond happy this is finally done, that there’s precedent over this, regardless of whether you’re trans or not,” said Feldhaus in January.
He had attended Augusta University.
“I hope it helps everybody.”
Judge Roper had originally said he thought the men were trying to commit fraud when they requested the name change.
“We weren’t trying to defraud anybody,” Feldhaus said at the time. “We were being our true selves.”
Littrell, representing the men said: “It’s supported by sound reasoning that will help not only our clients but will help people throughout the state and likely beyond.
“It rejects the idea that a transgender person seeking to live his or her life authentically is somehow harming other people or committing a fraud.”
