Roberta Perkins was a sociologist, writer and sex worker rights activist. She was also a trailblazer for trans people, championing trans rights for over three decades. She founded Tiresias House in Sydney in 1983, a refuge for trans people who were vulnerable to harassment, assaults, robberies, violent abuse and attacks. Tiresias House later became The Gender Centre, an advocacy and support organisation for trans people in NSW. Perkins died on 26 June 2018.