Alexander John Goodrum

Alexander John Goodrum (1960–2002) was an internationally known African-American transgender civil rights activist, writer, and educator.[1][2][3] He was the founder and director of TGNet Arizona.[4] He was a board member of the Tucson GLBT Commission,[5] and the Funding Exchange's OUT Fund, which allocates an annual grant named after Goodrum to LGBT community organizing projects such as the Latina lesbian magazine Esto no tiene nombre, edited in part by tatiana de la tierra.[6] Goodrum was bisexual, disabled, and a trans man, he wrote about his gender influencing spirituality.[7][8] His "Gender Identity 101: A Transgender Primer" has been reprinted in various forms to educate mainstream society on basic questions regarding transsexual and transgender people.[9] His work is carried on by the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance (SAGA).[10][11]

Goodrum committed suicide on September 28, 2002 while at La Frontera Psychiatric Health Facility, a psychiatric ward.[2] His death was unexpected and investigation into the facilities handling of his case prompted some procedural and physical changes at La Frontera.[1][12][13]

He was posthumously awarded the Godat Award, which honors lifetime service to the LGBT community.[14][15]

In 2015, SAGA initiated the Alexander John Goodrum Catalyst of Change award. The first honoree was TV and film star Laverne Cox.[16]

References

  1. 1 2 "Investigation will look into death of activist". Arizona Daily Star. October 8, 2002.
  2. 1 2 "In Memoriam". Retrieved March 2, 2012.
  3. "AIDS activist Craig Snow to receive Wingspan honor". Arizona Daily Star. July 24, 2006.
  4. "Crossover acts". Arizona Daily Star. June 30, 2002.
  5. "Gay task force wants to toughen ordinance". Arizona Daily Star. December 19, 1998.
  6. De La Tierra, Tatiana. "Activist Latina Lesbian Publishing: esto no tiene nombre and conmoción." I am Aztldn: The Personal Essay in Chicano Studies, ed. Chon A. Noriega and Wendy Belcher (Los Angeles: UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Press, 2004) 194.
  7. Rudacille, Deborah (2006). The Riddle Of Gender: Science, Activism, And Transgender Rights. Anchor. p. 276. ISBN 0385721978.
  8. Our Sexuality. Cengage Learning. 2007. p. 131. ISBN 1133943411.
  9. Research Navigator Guide for Abnormal Psychology. Allyn & Bacon. 2003. p. 64. ISBN 0205408354.
  10. Transitions. The Advocate. 2002. p. 28. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  11. "Alexander John Goodrum". Southern Arizona Gender Alliance. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  12. "Death leads to safety changes at La Frontera". Arizona Daily Star. October 11, 2002.
  13. "Claim faults clinic in activist's suicide". Arizona Daily Star. June 28, 2003.
  14. "Neighborhood Briefing". Arizona Daily Star. August 22, 2003.
  15. "Funhouse theater group dances its way to $2,000". Arizona Daily Star. September 21, 2003.
  16. Taracena, María Inés. "Southern Arizona Gender Alliance Gives Laverne Cox a 'Catalyst of Change' Award". Retrieved 2016-09-29.


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