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Christopher Lee
Lee was outspoken as a trans activist and filmmaker, but it was his tragic death that may have had the greatest impact.
The co-founder of San Francisco’s Transgender Film Festival and director of the autobiographical Christopher’s Chronicles, Lee committed suicide in 2012 at age 48. But because he had not received an updated birth certificate, the coroner’s office listed Lee’s gender as “female” on his death certificate.
“It felt like spitting on his grave,” said friend Chino Scott-Chung. “When they put R.I.P. on people’s tombstones it’s “rest in peace.” And I just felt like Christopher’s spirit will not rest in peace with a death certificate that says female.”
As a result, Scott-Chung went to California Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, who introduced the Respect After Death Act, which was passed by the State Assembly and signed by Governor Jerry Brown. It took effect in 2015.
“A person should rest in peace after death as the same person they were during life,” Atkins said in a statement. “This bill is designed to ensure that the wishes of a transgender person regarding their gender identity are respected after they have passed on.”
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