Trans Activist Casey Hoke Dead at 21

Trans activist Casey Hoke has died at the age of 21, news sources report. Hoke is described as being "a transgender artist, activist, and speaker dedicated to helping others combat marginalization with creativity" at his web page.

The highly accomplished young man was also a third year college student at California State Polytechnic University of Pomona and a Wells Fargo Point Foundation scholar, a TEDx speaker and contributor to the Huffington Post, and a board member with GLSEN, a national organization dedicated to countering anti-LGBTQ bullying and creating safe schools, according to text at Hoke's webpage.

Hoke created the "Art, Identity, & YOU" workshop, the stated goals of which included "To provide a dialogue seldom taught in history class cirricula on LGBTQ+ Art History, artistic expression of identity, and historical context of visual symbolism used to identify LGBTQ+ sub-communities," and "To provide a platform for youth and educators to speak and share their stories and identities through art."

Hoke's older brother Ryan, a news personality with WAVE 3 News in Louisville, Kentucky, posted at his Facebook page about the tragedy. "My younger brother lost whistle with mental illness this week," Ryan Hoke posted. "I love you Casey. Many love you," Ryan added at the end of his post.