Black trans woman Angel Naira mourned
The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the death of Angel Naira, a 36-year-old Black transgender woman.
Naira was shot to death in her home in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, on November 11, 2021. She worked in home health care and graduated from Aliquippa High School and Beaver Falls Beauty Academy. Loved ones describe Angel as a beautiful soul with a big heart who was outgoing, “fearless and fabulous,” and “would do anything for her family and friends.”
One of Naira’s friends, Bria Jones, posted this tribute to Facebook:
“What a Beautiful soul so outgoing and you definitely embraced your inner self taught me a lot about loving your self and never being afraid to be you no matter what anyone says ..you were fearless and fabulous baby one of the best to do it and always had a smile on your face Damn Angel Naira why u hurt us like this so many years so many memories I just don’t understand ..what a bond to brake what a life to take I’ll be missing you FRIEND”.
“I am devastated to hear about the loss of Angel and see the violence against the trans community continue,” said Deputy Executive Director of NBJC, Victoria Kirby York. “This year has been the deadliest year on record for the trans community. Despite the rising violence in the two years since the American Medical Association declared it an epidemic and the tireless work of activists and community members to draw attention to the issue, little action has been taken. There are constant calls for elected officials to introduce and pass legislation that would protect the trans community, for media to treat the victims with respect by not misgendering and deadnaming them, for law enforcement to investigate and solve these murders. Instead of defending the trans community, we have seen an uptick in attacks through an increase in anti-trans legislation.”
“It is time to stand with the trans community, to work with them, to ensure they can live safely and freely, as their authentic selves.”
Angel Naira is the 47th trans, nonbinary or gender-nonconforming person to be killed in 2021. She is the fourth trans person killed in the state of Pennsylvania this year.
Angel Naira’s family has started a GoFundMe to raise money for memorial arrangements, which you can donate to HERE. Pennsylvania State Police are currently investigating Naira’s death.
Learn more about reducing gender-based violence here and here.
Look here to learn more about changing local laws and increasing protections for trans and non-binary community members.
ABOUT THE NBJC
The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is America’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+, and same gender loving (LGBTQ+/SGL) people, including people living with HIV. The NBJC Stolen Lives list of trans and non-binary individuals lost to violence and hate can be found here.
