Rachel Pollack, a prolific writer about tarot and an early activist for transgendered people’s rights, died on April 7. She was 77.

Admired for her science fiction and fantasy writing in novels and comic books, she began speaking out for transvestites, transsexuals and drag queens at a time when the trans community was largely unseen, said Religion News Service. “I hope that Rachel’s legacy both as activist and mystic will be a serious commitment to playfulness and generosity of spirit,” said Roz Kaveney, a writing colleague.