Davonta Curtis was a Black Trans Woman killed in Chicago

A 31-year-old Black trans woman was beaten to death in her Chicago home on April 5, 2026. Her name was Davonta Curtis. Police have arrested and charged a 24-year-old man with first-degree murder and possession of a stolen vehicle per Them. The Crime According to Chicago news outlets, Davonta was in an “on again, off […]

The Violent Death of Black Trans Woman Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-McCray First Reported Homicide This Year

Her name was Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-Mccray. She was 42 years old and identified as a Black transgender woman. She died in Petersburg, Virginia. On March 13, just before 2 a.m., Petersburg Police were called to the 300 block of Elm Street for a reported shooting. FIrst responders entered a home with “an unsecured door” and […]

Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem is what we need now

City Theatres co-production of Malcolm X and Redd Foxx Washing Dishes at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem came to Pittsburgh in time for a blizzard, the escalation of ICE kidnappings, and the beginning of Black History Month. City Theatre partnered with Dallas Theater Center, Theatre Squared, and Virginia Stage Company. It was a frenzied fit. People seem […]

This is How to Decolonize Thanksgiving

Or at least get started … I’ve been pondering how to reconcile 54 Thanksgivings with the undeniable truths about the harm and trauma that celebration causes my Native and Indigenous friends, neighbors. As a trauma survivor, I appreciate the distinction between bad memories and actively continued experience. It has gnawed at me so I did […]

Adding Six Trans Neighbors to Our Memorial List 2024/2025

Some of these deaths only came to light recently. I did not want anyone to be overlooked around the Trans Day of Remembrance, so I created a compilation post. Please visit Remembering Our Dead for more robust information. Nonbinary and queer artist of Dominican descent was killed in Seattle in December 2024 Jonny Adamow was […]

Things to Watch During Native History Month

My friend, Lee Dingus, is a Seneca artist and educator who has contributed to this blog in the past. I asked her to specifically share television shows and movies that do a solid job with representation. Indigenous created content is so much more accessible now, but I don’t think people know that. I certainly didn’t, until […]

The Great White Silence

Today I was in an online class with almost 100% white folx over 50. Someone used a racist term about immigrants. I said something. Guess what the other white folx did? There is no space where it is ‘safe’ to turn away from racism. People are putting their lives on the line, their bodies in […]

Legendary transgender activist Miss Major dies at 78

Known as a surrogate mother of her community, Miss Major Griffin-Gracy leaves behind a legacy as a fierce advocate for trans and LGBTQ+ rights. This story was originally reported by Orion Rummler of The 19th. Meet Orion and read more of his reporting on gender, politics and policy. Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a legendary transgender activist, […]

‘Tis The Season: Seneca Educator Lenora Dingus on New Challenges of Indigenous People’s Day

“it also seems that this is the only time of year Indigenous people and cultures are thought of to any extent by a large part of the population.“ ‘Tis The Season Football; both local and National, INDIGENOUS people’s day – aka Columbus Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving and all the fall harvest festivals which often portray negative Indigenous […]

North Carolina Black Trans Woman Tiara Love Jackson Killed

A 37-year-old Black trans woman, Tiara Love ‘Tori’ Jackson, was shot to death on Friday, September 26 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Crime From WCNC [The shooting] happened at the WoodSpring Suites along Deboer Avenue, which is just off West Arrowood Road, around 9:15 a.m. Medic confirmed its crews responded to the scene. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police confirmed that […]