Henry Berg-Brousseau
American transgender rights activist (1998–2022)
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Henry Berg-Brousseau (March 9, 1998 – December 16, 2022)[1] was an American transgender rights activist and spokesperson. He came out as a transgender man at the beginning of his freshman year while attending Louisville Collegiate School. He graduated from 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.
- Transgender rights activist
- spokesperson
Henry Berg-Brousseau | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 9, 1998 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 24) Arlington, Virginia, U.S. |
| Education | George Washington University (BA) |
| Occupations |
|
| Employer | Human Rights Campaign |
Political party | Democratic Party |
| Movement | Transgender rights movement |
| Mother | Karen Berg |
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 on December 16, 2022.[6] His mother, Karen Berg, a member of the Kentucky 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]