The “Grandmother” of the Trans Rights Movement Is Optimistic About the Future

Texans You Should Know is a series highlighting overlooked figures and events from Texas history. Phyllis Randolph Frye’s cherry-red nail polish shimmers against her baby blue hospital gown under the fluorescent lights. On the mend from a respiratory illness, the 77-year-old retired judge has one more night at Houston Methodist but still has the energy of a woman in command of her courtroom. “You know how people introduce themselves when they’re speaking and they give their pronouns?” she said, perched on the edge of her hospital bed. “Well, I say, ‘I’m Phyllis Frye and my pronouns are Judge and Your Honor.’ ”The Texas-trained attorney is considered the “grandmother” of the nation’s fight for transgender legal and political rights and is the first openly transgender person to serve…

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