GLAD Executive Director Janson Wu issued the following statement on the death of Aimee Stephens, whose landmark transgender status employment discrimination case is currently pending before the U.S. Supreme Court:

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Aimee Stephens’ death. Our hearts go out to Aimee’s wife, Donna, their daughter Elizabeth, and all who loved her.

All of us owe Aimee a debt of gratitude. Her decision to speak out and challenge the discrimination she faced at a job she had loved for years demonstrated true courage. Her willingness to publicly share her story and to persist in her fight all the way to the Supreme Court has already made a tremendous difference to transgender people across the country.

Aimee’s life reminds us that at the center of every civil rights case is a human story, an individual who made the choice to try and change things for themselves and for all of us. Today we celebrate Aimee’s life and thank her and her loved ones for the gift they gave our community.”

Aimee Stephens’ case, R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes Inc. v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, is currently pending before the U.S. Supreme Court and concerns the question of whether transgender workers are protected from discrimination under Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act.