For Immediate Release: May 4, 2021
Contact: Ciora Thomas, ciora.thomas@sisterspgh.org, 412-297-0548
(PITTSBURGH – May 4, 2021) – SisTers PGH released the following statement regarding the fatal stabbing of Jahaira DeAlto:
We mourn the death of yet another transgender woman of color in America, Jahaira DeAlto, who was murdered, May 2, in Boston.
At least 17 trans or gender non-conforming people are known to have been killed in 2021, and it breaks our hearts to watch this number rise.
But Jahaira was more than a statistic. The 42-year-old trans woman born in Achrafieh, Beyrouth, Lebanon, was an advocate for survivors of domestic violence, a ballroom legend of the House of Balenciaga, and a devoted mentor.
Jahaira was like a mother to so many TLGBQ youth, and we send our love and condolences to all of those grieving this tremendous loss. We will harness Jahaira’s compassion and light as inspiration in the continuous fight for our rights to not just live, but to thrive.
Trans women deserve our roses while we are alive. Enough is enough.
SisTers PGH is a Black and Trans-led 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves people of color, trans, and nonbinary people within Southwestern Pennsylvania. www.sisterspgh.org