Robina Asti
Robina Fedora Asti (April 7, 1921 - March 21, 2021)[1] was an American flight instructor and advocate for women’s and transgender rights.[2] Her advocacy changed government rules to allow transgender people to inherit spousal Social Security benefits.[2]
Asti married Evangeline Diaz-Perez of Palm Beach, Florida in 1958. She began hormone replacement therapy on February 14, 1976, which was followed by sex reassignment surgery. She separated from her wife soon afterwards, moving to New York City. There, she met Norwood Patten; they married in 2004. Following Patten's death in 2012, she applied for Social Security benefits, but was denied due to her being transgender. She successfully challenged this in court with representation from Lambda Legal.[2][3]
References
- ^ "Notice of Change of Name". The Journal News. May 28, 1981. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ a b c Risen, Clay (March 21, 2021). "Robina Asti, Who Made History on the Ground and in the Air, Dies at 99". The New York Times. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
- ^ Forde, Kaelyn (May 9, 2016). "A Remarkable Life: One 95-Year-Old Shares Her Hope For Fellow Trans People". Refinery29. Retrieved March 23, 2021.