Trailblazing LGBT+ rights activist Edith Windsor has passed away aged 88, and tributes are pouring in from around the world, celebrating the woman who helped achieve marriage equality in the United States.
Windsor’s legal fight against the federal government—in which she challenged the Defence of Marriage Act— helped pave the way to the historic 2015 Supreme Court ruling that legalised same-sex marriage in the US.
Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin has commented that Windsor is a “hero and civil rights icon who pushed our country closer to the promise of a more perfect union.
“Future generations will learn how she faced down discrimination with courage and defiance, and boldly challenged the United States government to treat her marriage to Thea Spyer equally under the law — as our Constitution guarantees.”
Former US President Barack Obama has also paid tribute to the activist, writing in a statement that: "America's long journey towards equality has been guided by countless small acts of persistence, and fueled by the stubborn willingness of quiet heroes to speak out for what's right.
"Few were as small in stature as Edie Windsor — and few made as big a difference to America," Obama said.
Windsor has been remembered on Twitter for being the unlikely hero who inspired a generation.
