Robina Asti, a 92-year-old transgender woman, was denied survivor benefits by the Social Security Administration after her husband's death.
She is a WWII veteran and served with honor. She married her longtime sweetheart, Norwood Patton in 2004. In June of 2012, Patton died at the age of 97.
After applying to the SSA for survivor benefits, she was denied and notified that “her marriage does not meet the requirements under Federal law for payment of Social Security widow’s benefits,” because she was "legally male" at the time of their wedding so the marriage is not valid. For over 30 years her passport, drivers license, FAA aviation license, and Social Security documents have all stated that she is a woman.
Let's help Robina and others like her get the rights and benefits they deserve!