High Priestex Mortellus

High Priestex Mortellus is a trans non-binary mortician, ordained clergy member, and internationally best-selling author who once ran away and joined a circus. Born and raised in Rutherford County, North Carolina—where they still reside—their upbringing instilled both the grit to show up when it's hard and a passion for helping others.

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They are the founder and chair of the Rutherford County chapter of the Interfaith Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party, acting chair of the newly organizing (and not yet official) LGBT Democrats of North Carolina chapter, and serve on the Executive Committee of the Rutherford County Democratic Party. In May 2025, Mortellus founded Indivisible Rutherford NC after recognizing that the county lacked a chapter of its own. Since 2015, they have led The Coven of Leaves in Rutherford County, later expanding its work to include mutual aid through the Rutherford Aid Network. Their volunteer and organizing work stretches back to 2001 and includes hospice service, interfaith food pantry leadership, statewide Indivisible infrastructure and operational security work, and more than 25 years of ongoing grassroots service to the communities they serve.

People often ask whether the mononym Mortellus is their “real” name. The answer is yes. In their faith tradition, clergy take on a religious name at ordination. Is it the name they were given at birth? No. Is it on their passport? Absolutely.

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Image by Eliza Bell