Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

UPDATE – Kailynn is back home as of Sunday, July 20, 2026. She is safe and recovering.

Updated: Kailynn Porter has been missing since July 11, 2026.

A 19 year old Black trans woman, Kailynn Porter, has been missing from her family home in Abington, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania since Saturday, July 11, 2026.

Her family is terrified.

The morning of July 11, Kailynn took a shower, dressed, and left her home without giving anyone information on her plans. Her mom, Vonn Porter, says that is unlike her. She says Kailynn typically checks-in to let her know where she’s heading or when to expect her home. Kailynn was home with her brother at the time. It was later in the afternoon that they realized something was wrong.

She took her phone, wallet, and purse as well as some medication said her mother. Nothing else was missing – no missing clothing or personal effects.

Police tracked her phone to Boston, a place Kailynn has never been, they have no family there. Police also discovered that Kailynn’s bank account had been used to purchase a $10 ticket to Center City in Philadelphia on the SEPTA transit system. There has been no further activity on her account or any other account.

Her mother describes Kailynn as a ‘homebody” who was used to using Lyft/Uber to get around while she works on getting a driver’s permit. Vonn says Kailynn has never been on a bus and only rides SEPTA with her mom to do some shopping in Center City.

Kailynn works at the Giant grocery store across the street from the family home in the suburban community.

It is unclear if police plan to search in Abington or Center City. While Vonn has filed a missing person’s report, there is a sense that Kailynn walked away on her own.

Her mother cannot believe that – her family is fully affirming and supportive and tight knit. They embrace Kailynn’s identity and have worked out a plan for her transition, her mother just ordered her a set of bedroom curtains in the trans pride flag colors after Kailynn selected them.

The family have scoured her computer, talked with friends and her boyfriend, even checked her medication refills. No one has a lead. Well, except that SEPTA ticket.

Vonn told me Kailynn loves manga and gaming. Her friends are monitoring her social media for any activity or anything concerning. There’s just been silence.

The only out-of-character happening in recent weeks was Kailynn crying to her boyfriend about not feeling feminine enough for him, that she was a ‘loser.’ That’s not necessarily unusual, but it was unusual for Kailynn not to talk about her feelings with her mother. It does not seem Kailynn has direct contact with adult Black trans women or organizations, but she does have an affirming healthcare team, both physically and mentally.

There is tremendous need to raise awareness of Kailynn’s situation. The more people who are aware, the more likely it is to find that one person who saw her or recognizes her.

“Missing White Woman Syndrome,” coined by news anchor Gwen Ilfill in 2004,  is a term widely used to refer to the disproportionate coverage of White, upper-middle-class women who go missing. According to a 2016 analysis of local and national news sources, missing Black people made up nearly 13 percent of missing persons media coverage despite accounting for more than 35 percent of all missing people, according to data from the FBI. This was reported the 19th several years ago.

There are other reasons for concern. Some spaces have used Kailynn’s assigned name which can cause confusion in reporting. Many government databases, including law enforcement, only allow for binary choices, potentially sowing more chaos. Black and other BIPOC youth are often categorized as ‘runaways’ rather than missing.

Black children account for nearly 33% to 35% of all missing youth cases in the United States, despite making up only 14% of the total child population according to a 2021 publication.

Kailynn is a legal adult. She could have walked away if she chose, she wouldn’t need to run away – she had her own money, a phone, Uber account, etc. It is unclear that Kailynn had something or someone to run away from. Her digital trail does not suggest she was running to something – someone she met online, an opportunity, an experience. If she left on her own, she would seemingly have withdrawn funds, packed her meds, some clothing perhaps.

She’s 19, an adult but still a teenager who checks in with her mom with whom she’s created a vision for her transition. She doesn’t take public trans alone. If she did go to Center City (or Boston), she would need money. She’s on the cusp of her adulthood and that’s a potential vulnerability.

She’s 19, but still a young adult. And she’s someone’s daughter and sister and friend. I’ve been contacting every Pennsylvania group or leader I can think of. If you have connections in Center City or Abington, please reach out to them ASAP. Do you know reporters in the Philadelphia media market? What about elected officials? Groups that center Black youth and young adults?

I contacted one group who chastised me for disclosing her trans identity because that’s not on the flyer. I clarified why that disclosure was made, but I have to give them credit for understanding the culture and protecting trans youth. They are in touch with the family.

You can contact her mother Shavonne at 215-902-0202 or Detective Jeff Anderson of the Abington Police Department at 267-536-1000.

What brings people home is when their neighbors go looking. When strangers take a second glance at a flyer. When an employer offers a reward. When everyone triplechecks their security cameras.

Kailynn has such a sweet smile and so much to look forward to in her life. Regardless of what happened when she walked out of her home, it is imperative to confirm that she’s safe. Every trans young adult needs to know that we are looking for them.

How you can help

• Share their information with as many folx in Abington, PA as you can
• Connect the family with a victim’s advocate
• Connect the family with a Black trans led organization to support them and Kailynn
• Get the attention of journalists in the Philadelphia area.
• If you have connections in Center City, share with them as well.
• If you live in Abington, contact Vonn about helping with searching and flyering.
• If you can support the family emotionally, please reach out.
• Ask Abington police what they are doing with this investigation and let them know the community is paying attention.