Trans activist and WWII pilot, Robina Asti, has died at 99 in her California home. In an interview with Out Magazine last year, Asti said that she had always felt conflicted regarding her gender, but decided to embrace her trans identity after the death of her 9-year-old son, saying: “The tragedy shook me to my core.
I became fed up and disillusioned with my male life. After years of deep reflection, I realised that I was not living my true self.”As well as serving in the war, Asti was known for suing the Social Security Administration after she was denied survivor benefits as a trans widow.
After coming out in 1976 and peacefully divorcing from her former wife, Asti met her husband, Norwood Patton.