Transgender activist dies

Alexander John Goodrum, an internationally known activist who labored tirelessly for social change and founded an Arizona transgender resource center, died Saturday, according to the Arizona Daily Star. Goodrum had battled depression throughout his life, friends and colleagues said, and hanged himself at a Tucson mental health treatment facility just days before his 42nd birthday.

The death shocked friends and colleagues, who remembered Goodrum as a courageous and valiant visionary who fought intolerance, especially that faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people. Goodrum, who had lived in Tucson since 1996, created TGNet Arizona, a transgender resource and advocacy group, and was its director.

"What an incredible activist he's been in the trans community and just a prominent figure in the whole GLBT community," said Kathy Altman, board chair of Wingspan, a local GLBT resource center. "We'll miss him dreadfully."