Henry Berg-Brousseau
Henry Berg-Brousseau | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 March 1998 |
| Died | (aged 24) |
| Education | George Washington University |
| Occupation | Transgender rights activist |
| Mother | Karen Berg |
Henry Berg-Brousseau (March 9, 1998 – December 16, 2022)[1] was an American transgender rights activist. He came out as a transgender man at the beginning of his freshman year while attending Louisville Collegiate School. He attended the George Washington University, where he studied Political Science and History, and also pursued a minor in Jewish Studies.[1] During his time at the University, he was a founding member of the Delta Lambda Phi Alpha chapter. [2] He was the deputy press secretary for politics for the Human Rights Campaign.[3] He is known for speaking out against a Kentucky bathroom bill at age 16 and his advocacy for transgender rights.
Achievements
In 2015, Berg-Brousseau began interning at the Fairness Campaign,[4] a lobbying and advocacy organization, focusing primarily on preventing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. He organized a protest against conversion therapy and participated in many discussions around transgender rights at the local and national level.[1]
At age 16, he presented a testimony against a Bathroom bill under consideration by the Kentucky legislature and helped prevent its passage.[5] When discussing the bill, he stated:[5]
"When you walk in somewhere where nobody else goes or have to leave class for extra time to walk into the basement, that opens yourself up to not being a normal kid . . . I don’t feel like I should have to change my life to accommodate their hatred."
In 2021, during his time with the Human Rights Campaign[4] in Washington D.C., Berg-Brosseau focused on political communication.[2] He followed bills and news headlines related to gender-affirming care, education on gender and sexuality, and restrictions on transgender athletes and their participation in sports.[2]
Death
Berg-Brousseau died by suicide in 2022.[6] His mother, Karen Berg, a member of the Kentucky state senate, commented on his death saying that he, "long struggled with mental illness, not because he was trans but born from his difficulty finding acceptance,"[6]
Following his death, a service was held at the Herman Meyer & Son Funeral home in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.[1]
Legacy
Following his death in 2022, the Delta Lambda Phi Alpha chapter has held an annual drag show in the founder's memory. Serving as a fundraiser, proceeds have been donated to various LGBTQ+ organizations such as The Trevor Project [7] and the Trans Lifeline. [8]
References
- ^ a b c d "Hanan (Henry) Spilman Berg-Brousseau, 24". Herman Meyer & Son. December 20, 2022. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ a b c Tumin, Remy (December 25, 2022). "Kentucky Lawmaker Speaks Out About Transgender Son's Suicide". The New York Times.
- ^ Beckett, Lois (22 December 2022). "Transgender rights activist Henry Berg-Brousseau dies aged 24 | US news | The Guardian". The Guardian.
- ^ a b "She lost her trans son to suicide. Can a Kentucky lawmaker make her colleagues care?". Washington Post. 2023-03-25. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ a b "Bill to put transgender bathrooms in public schools fails". February 20, 2015.
- ^ a b "Henry Berg-Brousseau, transgender rights advocate and son of Kentucky state senator, dies at 24". www.cbsnews.com. 21 December 2022.
- ^ Duhon, Clara. "Students take to runway in Delta Lambda Phi's fourth drag show, honoring late alumnus". The GW Hatchet. Retrieved 2026-03-15.
- ^ "Third Annual Henry Berg-Brousseau Memorial Drag Show". GW Calendar. Retrieved 2026-03-15.