Thoughts on Lynn Conway’s Passing

Last week, I received the very sad news that Professor Lynn Conway had passed. It shook the trans social media world. Everyone who has been in the community for more than a few years was shaken by this news.

Lynn worked at IBM in San Jose, CA (my hometown) back in the day, developing processor chips. Her work would eventually lead to what makes our modern day cell phone technology possible. But when she came out to her bosses at IBM, they immediately fired her. They could not handle the idea of a “transsexual” (what trans people were called back then) working for them.

So, Lynn reinvented herself in more ways than one. She became a professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Michigan, where she was very well known. She was also an amazing resource for the trans community. Before the Internet was widely available, Lynn created a website with amazing resources, to help those of us who were considering beginning our journeys understand what we were about to undertake. Even though by 2015 when I began my journey, her website was in many ways out of date, and there were many more current resources available, I still read every word of every sub-page of her website. It was that compelling, and it was trans history!

I reached out to Lynn with questions about it, and she was always available to talk to me about my questions. She was never “too big for her britches” – she was always ready to help novice trans people in their journeys.

I don’t know if Lynn had saving trans lives in the back of her mind when she wrote her website – I never asked her. Those of you who have been following me know that this is my number one priority, and it is my focus in all of my work. Nonetheless, I am sure that Lynn’s work did, in fact save many trans lives, because to be trans back in the day was truly dangerous. It was far more hostile than it is today, knowledge was not readily available, and resources were scarce.

So, Lynn Conway, Of Blessed Memory, is a true trans hero, in my eyes, and I’m sure in the eyes of many more in the community. She created invaluable work for our community, and she made herself available to help others.

How can we honor her memory in 2024? There are some of us in the community, like me, who have resources and don’t lack for much. In my case, I’m severely disabled, and will be moving in to Assisted Living soon, because it is becoming increasingly difficult to care for myself. But, because the VA does not discriminate against trans people, I’m able to get the benefits I need, and the Assisted Living facility I’m going to is Jewish friendly and queer friendly. I’ve been extremely fortunate in my trans life, despite my disabilities.

However, I know fully well that far too many of us are suffering in far too many ways. If you can help other trans people out, whether by providing guidance, as Lynn did, talking to them, or donating to worthy causes, PLEASE do it in Lynn’s memory. All of this work is holy and all of it honors her memory. All of it will go toward saving and enhancing trans lives, and that is, after all, what Lynn was all about.

And while I never saw Lynn get political, as I promised, I have to get a little political every month. The GOP contender for President is a convicted FELON. He cannot be allowed to occupy the White House again. The only way to prevent this, and to keep the GOP from retaking control of the Senate, is for us to get out the vote in November. Enough said!

So, let’s all get out and be resources for the trans community, in whatever way we can, so we will, in whatever small way, model the amazing life of Lynn Conway, may her memory be a blessing.

Peace,

Rona

Tags: featured, opinion, Transgender

Category: History, Transgender Opinion