Henry Berg-Brosseau, the son of Kentucky Senator Karen Berg and a notable transgender rights champion, died at 24. In a statement posted Tuesday afternoon, the Democratic senator announced his death.
Henry’s Childhood:
The young activist, who was born in Louisville, Ky., began his brief but meaningful advocacy career as a student at Louisville Collegiate School, where he organised a protest against so-called LGBTQ “conversion therapy,” spoke to the Kentucky Senate Education Committee, and participated in other “local and national causes,” according to his obituary.
Henry’s Professional Life:
Berg-Brousseau, of Arlington, Virginia, worked as the Human Rights Campaign’s deputy press secretary for politics. The Human Rights Campaign is a leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organisation in the United States. Henry was a warrior and an advocate first and foremost. As a teenager in Kentucky, he was battling for transgender rights far earlier than he should have had to. He was subjected to anti-transgender abuse regularly as part of his position at HRC. No one understood the potential impact that anti-transgender speech, messaging, and legislation might have on his community more than he did. He was courageous. But, as Henry’s mother remarked, ‘the hostility towards trans individuals is not happening in a vacuum. It has practical ramifications for how transgender persons see their place in the world and how they are treated as they go about their daily lives.’ It negatively influenced Henry’s perception of his place in the world.
Henry Berg-Brousseau Passed Away:
Berg-death Brousseau comes to the conclusion of a challenging year for trans and gender nonconforming persons. Anti-trans discourse and policymaking have increased dramatically at all levels of government. More than 171 anti-trans laws and more than 300 anti-LGBTQ measures have been submitted in the United States in 2022 alone. Trans persons are already more prone than cisgender people to battle mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. Almost half of all LGBTQ teens have pondered suicide. However, puberty blockers and other gender-affirming treatments are safe and effective and have been linked to better mental health outcomes for trans persons. According to a January research, 85% of trans teenagers reported that debates over anti-trans measures in state legislatures negatively influence their mental health. “Violence against trans individuals does not happen in a vacuum,” Berg explained. “It’s not only a ploy to get political points by inflaming the culture wars. It has practical ramifications.”
Read Also – Rachel Mee Cause of Death, Details of Death and Funds for her son
