Liam Johns, trans activist who allowed the Observer to document pregnancy, dies at 35
Liam Johns, the transgender man known for his LGBTQ activism in Charlotte and for sharing his pregnancy journey in a 2019 Charlotte Observer series, died on Sept. 14. He was 35.
Johns was undergoing dialysis for kidney failure and was on the national kidney and pancreas transplant list when he passed away, said Chase Hayes, a friend and former partner, in an interview with the Observer.
“He touched a lot of people, especially in Charlotte, with all he did,” Hayes said. “That was his heart and soul — other than his children … He loved his city, he loved his community.”
In 2018, Johns gave birth to his first child with his partner at the time, who now goes by Freya. In 2022, he gave birth to their second.
Hayes said Johns always dreamed of being a parent, and was very involved after both kids were born.
During his pregnancy with his first child, Johns allowed the Observer to document the experience — from trying to make room in his home for the baby and putting together a baby shower registry, to Johns’ health complications throughout his pregnancy and the decision to raise their children in a gender-neutral household.
Political activism
Many knew him for his LGBTQ activism in Charlotte and beyond, Hayes said.
Johns in 2016 protested against House Bill 2 — North Carolina’s “bathroom bill” — which said people had to use the public bathroom that matched the sex on their birth certificate.
“I won’t back down ’til HB2 is gone. I’m 100 percent human and deserve 100 percent equality,” Johns said in a 2016 interview with the Observer. “When our community’s lives are under attack, we stand up and fight back.”
The bill was fully repealed in 2020.
Johns traveled to other places to support LGBTQ causes or protest anti-LGBTQ legislation, Hayes said
Johns, who was Monacan Indian on his father’s side, was active in Native American activism.
Hayes, who is transgender, said the two became friends after meeting at Charlotte Pride in 2015. Hayes said Johns supported him through his transition.
Their relationship came to an end after two years, but they remained friends, Hayes said. They didn’t keep in touch regularly, but checked on each other through Facebook and at a yearly trans camp.
“It’s a yearly camp we go to in Georgia, and it’s … all about trans,” Hayes said. “Being trans, enjoying being with other people who are trans, and just really enjoying that time together.”
Hayes said he looks fondly on the memories they built together at the yearly outing.
“He was such a laid back person. He was sweet,” Hayes said. “Injustice made him mad. He wanted to see people be treated right, no matter what they were, how they presented themselves, if they were trans or not. He wanted people to be seen and heard for who they were.”
A particularly fond memory of Johns for Hayes is when they used to pick up clothes for TransCloset, which helped transgender individuals pick out clothes they may not otherwise be able to get, in a judgment-free zone.
Hayes started a memorial page on Facebook, where people have shared photos and memories of Johns.
He started a GoFundMe page for Johns’ family. The money will go into an account for Johns’ children, Hayes said. The plan is to put his ashes next to his father’s in Virginia.
April Jeadon, who met Johns about 13 years ago when he first began transitioning, said Johns was an inspiration to everyone he met.
“He would answer questions about things that you may not understand. He didn’t hold anything against you for not knowing something,” said Jeadon. “He was just loving and kind and one of the sweetest people I had ever met. And it just grew over the years.”
She said Johns helped her through her own transition, and was an influential figure in her kids’ lives. She said they are open minded today because of him.
And despite going through dialysis, she said, he was still trying to be a beacon of hope for people in the end.
This story was originally published September 20, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
