Trans People We Never Knew About

There are so many trans people who are making a difference in the world that we never knew about. Most of us just go on about living our lives and being trans is only a small part of our lives.

Mourning Ben Barres, The Transgender Scientist Who Changed Neuroscience
Forbes
By Matthew Herper
December 28, 2017

Ben Barres, a neuroscientist who established the importance of glial cells, which comprise 9 in 10 brain cells but had been dismissed as inconsequential, died on December 27. The cause was pancreatic cancer, according to a statement from Stanford University, where he was a professor and where he chaired the department of neurobiology until he was diagnosed last April.

“Ben was a remarkable person. He will be remembered as a brilliant scientist who transformed our understanding of glial cells and as a tireless advocate who promoted equity and diversity at every turn,” said Marc Tessier-Lavigne, PhD, president of Stanford University, in a press release. "He was also a beloved mentor to students and trainees, a dear friend to many in our community and a champion for the fundamental dignity of us all.”

Barres is remembered for his trailblazing scientific work, but also for the causes he fought for. He was openly and adamantly transexual, and was the first trans person admitted into the National Academies of Science. He was a tireless advocate for women in academia, and for his students. Professors often hold on to their students projects; Barre insisted they take those projects with them.  He was a figure toward whom a great many other scientists felt a strong emotional bond. I found this out last night when I posted a link to Stanford's news release announcing his death on Twitter, and was blown away by the dozens of heartfelt responses.

We have shaped science, economics, medicine, and business, we have been pathfinders leading in so many fields, and it is simply amazing. Lynn Conway, a woman who blazed the trail for microprocessors and computers has webpages that lists some of the success stories. There isn’t a facet of our life that hasn’t been touched by a trans people in some way.

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Update 12/30/17
Here is a video about Ben Barres on Charlie Rose: