Ninety-two-year-old Robina Asti, a transgender woman and WWII veteran, is fighting with the Social Security Administration to receive benefits after the death of her husband Norwood Patton. After Patton died, Asti filed for survivor benefits, but SSA denied her request, claiming "her marriage does not meet the requirements under Federal law for payment of survivor benefits" and she was "legally male" at the time of her wedding in 2004.
If you think this is whole thing reeks of hot messiness, you're right. Asti has legally lived as a woman since 1976, and has a passport, FAA pilot's license and driver's license that all list her as female. Back in June, Lambda Legal filed a request with SSA to take another look at Asti's case, but they have yet to receive a response.
"I am so insulted that the Social Security Administration refused to recognize me as a woman and treated my marriage to Norwood in such a disrespectful way," Asti said in a statement released by Lambda Legal. "I have lived a very private life, but the SSA is forcing me to speak out. I don't want other people to have to experience this."
Watch Lambda Legal's video about the case below
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