Widow of Heroic Firefighter Fighting for Justice

Mrs. Nikki Araguz is the widow of a Wharton Co. fire fighter killed in the line of duty.  In a compound tragedy, Mrs. Araguz’s in-laws are attempting to void her marriage, claiming that she is a transsexual woman and as such her marriage is unlawful and only they should inherit Mr. Araguz’s estate or benefit from his insurance and pension. 

July 22, 2010 (Austin, TX).  Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) stands together with The Transgender Center in Houston along with the legal team lead by Phyllis Randolph Frye in calling the community to step forward to help change history. Nikki Araguz was married to a Wharton County firefighter killed in the line of duty.  His family is now taking this very personal and grief filled time to attack Ms Araguz.  Using the Littleton v Prange decision, they are trying to deny her rights as the spouse of this American Hero,  saying their marriage was never valid.

Not only, is this deplorable for its timing by injecting hate and intolerance into a personal tragedy, but it also brings to light the unending vitriol raised against Trans people in our society.  Since the ruling in 1999 the decision in Littleton v. Prange  has been used to deny Trans people their rights on many fronts - not just in marriage.  The family of Mr Araguz have shown insensitivity and greed in their attacks on a valid marriage.

TENT calls on the ENTIRE LGBT community to step forward and help.  Executive Director, Lisa Scheps said, "The queer community as a whole needs to step up and fight hard alongside Nikki and her supporters to see some real change in this country... Change for the better.  I urge everyone to reach into their heart and help both in the legal defense as well as the financial and emotional support that Nikki needs right now."   Ms Araguz needs support as her assets have been frozen and the Transgender Center in Houston (http://www.tgctr.org) has stepped up to fill that need.  Please help them with a donation by sending a check to:

Transgender Foundation of America, 604 Pacific, Houston, TX 77006

Make checks payable to Transgender Foundation of America.  Please make sure to note that the payment is for the TG Center Nikki Araguz Fund.

Credit card contributions can be made using the following link:

www.tiny.cc/nikkisfund 

Phyllis Randolph Frye as been retained as council and is donating much of her firms resources to this fight.  This is very likely to be a landmark case for the Transgender community and may find its way to the United States Supreme Court.  Contributions are needed to keep the support going.  Please visit Frye and Associates for more information about how you can help. 

About Transgender Education Network of Texas

Transgender Education Network of Texas is dedicated to furthering the cause of Gender Diverse people in Texas.  We accomplish this through education in both public and private forums.  Through our efforts we will strive to halt discrimination through social, legal, legislative and corporate education.  

Transgender Education Network of Texas

www.TransTexas.org