NEW YORK — Aimee Stephens, whose landmark case was the first case about the civil rights of transgender people to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, died today at her home in metro Detroit with her wife, Donna Stephens, at her side. Chase Strangio, deputy director for Trans Justice with the ACLU’s LGBT & HIV Project and a member of Aimee Stephens’ legal team shared the following: “Aimee did not set out to be a hero and a trailblazer, but she is one, and our country owes her a debt of gratitude for her commitment to justice for all people and her dedication to our transgender community.
With the ACLU's help, Aimee took her story to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which said she had a case. “Aimee is an inspiration,” said Donna Stephens in a statement shared by the ACLU. Upon notifying her employer that she would be living her life as a woman, Aimee was fired. Aimee began living as a woman in every part of her life but work, where she feared what the reaction would be. "I was like, 'You're my best friend. "They knew her face would be put out there, and she"She always treated everyone fairly, so to her this was an injustice and she wanted for it to be fixed," Donna said.Aimee struggled to find work in the funeral home industry after her firing, despite her decades of experience. So 20 years ago, Aimee moved to Michigan to be with Donna, who lives on the same block in Redford where she grew up. Being a part of Aimee’s team at the Supreme Court has been one of the proudest moments of my life because of the amazing person behind the case. NEW YORK — Aimee Stephens, whose landmark case was the first case about the civil rights of transgender people to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, died today at her home in metro Detroit with her wife, Donna Stephens, at her side. She worked as a funeral director in Detroit and was fired for being transgender. The outpouring of love and support is our strength and inspiration now.” Photos of Aimee Stephens at the Supreme Court are available here and can be used with credit: "You're not going to accept this," she told Aimee. Aimee is an inspiration. She and Donna, an administrative assistant for an engineering firm, had to sell some of their possessions to get by. One night, Aimee confessed what she'd been hiding about her "true self." This was a new thing for her, and she more than rose to that occasion." "It was kind of like having a U of M-MSU household," she said, laughing.Weeks passed with still no ruling, and Aimee went into hospice care. Donna Stephens was working last month at home when the text came through from her lawyer. They met as young children, when Aimee went by a different name, growing up as family friends. Aimee and Donna had known one another their whole lives.
Few had heard of Aimee before the justices took her case last year.
... And the third was a transgender woman named Aimee Stephens, who, … She read itand cried. As a member of her legal team, I am deeply sad for this loss. Aimee was still presenting as a man when she became increasingly withdrawn and depressed 10 years into their marriage. The ACLU asked Aimee how far she was willing to take her complaint, Donna said. Aimee's condition worsened after she returned to Michigan, where she spent months in and out of the hospital.Donna got up at 4 a.m. three days a week to take her for dialysis before work.This spring, ACLU lawyers called every so often to say a ruling might come the next day, but then it didn't. Her case marked the first time the Supreme Court ever heard arguments involving the civil rights of a transgender person.Aimee never intended to become a civil rights icon, but for thousands struggling for transgender equality, her case went to the core of their right to work, earn a living and support their families. Aimee Stephens is a spouse, sister, friend, and trans rights advocate. Chase Strangio, deputy director for Trans Justice with the ACLU’s LGBT & HIV Project and a member of Aimee Stephens’ legal team
Five weeks after the hospice nurses had left and Aimee was buried in North Carolina, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in her favor.
"I said, 'This is something we can work with,'" Donna recalled. All of Donna's energy and concentration went into keeping her comfortable amid the pain.Aimee died on a Tuesday, and her remains were transported to North Carolina to be buried next to her parents.Donna couldn't afford to go but also had reservations about traveling during the pandemic.