Goodbye to 鈥榪uiet trailblazer鈥�
Tributes have started flowing for Tasmanian transgender activist Roz Houston, who passed away in Burnie on Monday after a long illness.
Houston 鈥� a passionate human rights campaigner 鈥� was said to be one of the first transgender Tasmanians to openly speak out against transphobia and discrimination in the southern state.
Tasmanian transgender spokeswoman Martine Delaney hailed Houston as a 鈥渢railblazer.鈥�
鈥淔or many transgender Tasmanians, including myself, Roz was our first connection to someone who understood, who let you know you weren鈥檛 alone and who felt pride in her difference and identity.
鈥淩oz was a trailblazer, quietly changing attitudes and increasing acceptance of transgender Australians.鈥�
Houston advocated increased awareness of transgender issues with police, teachers and the wider community.
In 2003 Houston lodged a case with the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Commissioner claiming聽 harassment by her neighbour constituted 鈥渄iscrimination in accommodation.鈥�
She won the case and set an important precedent for discrimination covered by the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesman Rodney Croome paid tribute to Houston.
鈥淩oz鈥檚 tenacity against immense odds and her quiet dignity in challenging prejudice was an inspiration to all supporters of human rights,鈥� he said.
鈥淩oz had a love of justice and a love of her island home that together mark her as a truly great Tasmanian.鈥�
Houston鈥檚 funeral will be held in Burnie on Friday.
I would just like to say that I am very saddened by the news of Roz’s passing away. I moved to Tasmania under duress of a broken relationship and Roz became a very good friend to me and my son. Those days were tough for me and I know Roz was doing it tough too, but she was there with a listening ear, commendation, and support. We shared meals and I got the privilege of knowing her children Patric and Rhyanna whom she loved very much. To many she was an activist but to me she was a good friend and one that I will miss very much.
I’m sorry that I didn’t make an effort to keep in touch as often as I should have since she went to work in Queensland and I moved to Melbourne, but she became a source of strength to me, a significant part of my life and will always be in my heart. I hope Bryan is doing well as he also was very close to Roz and Michelle.
See you Roz, I know you’ll be back with strength, youth and personality as never before.