The 78 year-old trans activist suffered from a stroke last week according to the Facebook page of her organisation House of GG. The post describes Miss Major’s condition: “her speech is slurred, there is muscle weakness on her right side, and she is unable to swallow safely, at this point”. The post continues to thank people for their support at this time and reassures people that the legendary activist “will still be f*cking here!”

The House of GG is the first historical and education centre solely dedicated to trans and gender nonconforming people in the US. It serves as a home in Arkansas where trans people can go, feel safe and be part of a community of trans people who are working together for social justice.

Miss Major also served as the executive director of the San Franciso Transgender Gender-Variant Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP) which advocates for trans women of colour and members of their families who are in prison, formerly incarcerated or targeted by the police.

Some of the many awards she has received for her activism include the Social Justice Sabbatical Aware from the Vanguard Public Foundation and the Bobbie Jean Baker Memorial Award by the Asian Pacific Islander Wellness Centre.

A follow-up Facebook post by the House of GG says that Miss Major’s condition is improving and “she was singing along to music and smiling this morning”[July 9]. During her period of transitioning Miss Major was forced to rely on black market hormones. She was forced into a position where she was homeless and forced to steal in order to support herself. 

The legendary activist has event inspired and multi-award winning documentary called MAJOR! The film is made available to schools and universities to screen via the film’s website which also features a study guide with resources relating to groups that advocate for trans rights, social justice and the abolition of the prison industrial complex.