Maria Montaño Challenges Social Norms, Political Structures as ‘Best Thirst Trap’ Nominee in Pgh City Paper Best of Pittsburgh Awards

For so long, trans women and our bodies have been sold as objects under capitalism. This has led to our marginalization – and the belief that we are nothing but sexual deviants is directly related to the way we are demonized by so many. Capitalism has deprived us of our humanity, and our own sexual […]

Black Trans Woman Serenity Hollis, 24, Killed in Albany, Georgia

Serenity Hollis

Note: this post originally listed the wrong date, a date in the future. The correct date is May 8, 2021. I apologize for the confusion.  Serenity Hollis, a 24-year-old Black trans woman, was murdered in Albany, Georgia on Saturday, May 8, 2021. Her family believes it may have been a hate crime and local police […]

36-year-old Latina Trans Woman Sophie Vasquez Killed in Atlanta Suburbs

May 4, 2021 is now the deadliest day of the year 2021 with three transgender or gender-nonconforming persons murdered. Sophie Vasquez was a 36-year-old transgender Latina living in Atlanta. Her death is the third on that date, alongside Danny Henson in Baltimore and Whispering Wind Bear Spirit in York, Pennsylvania. From Project Q: Sophie Vasquez […]

Shooting Death of Young Latina Trans Woman Brings 2020 Toll to 44 Known Deaths

Transgender Epidemic Violence

A Latina transgender woman in her early 20’s was shot to death on December 26 in the Bronx borough of New York City. She was shot in the back of her head and died at the scene according to officers responding to the 911 call. Her name was Alexandria Winchester. The Ali Forney Center in […]

Facemask Q&A with Stoney Michelli of Stuzo Clothing

Stuzo Clothing Founder Stoney Michelli

We actually created [masks] in 2017 for fashion and function.  We were traveling to many cities and festivals for our pop ups and were susceptible to a lot.  We needed something that would protect from germs and dust.  It had to also include fashion being that half of our faces would be covered.  Over the […]

Trans Woman Michelle Ramos Vargas Found Shot to Death in Puerto Rico

Michelle Ramos Vargas

Puerto Rican authorities announced that a transgender woman was fatally shot on Wednesday, September 30. Her name was Michelle “Michellyn” Ramos Vargas.  She was 33 years old and a nursing student. From The Washington Blade The Associated Press reported the body of Michelle “Michellyn” Ramos Vargas, 33, was found along a highway in San Germán, a municipality […]

Selena Reyes Hernandez, 37, was a Latina Trans Woman Murdered in Chicago

Selena Reyes Hernandez was killed on May 31 after spending 20 minutes with her murderer. She was 37 and lived in Chicago. The young man who killed her was an 18 year old high schoo senior. At this point we know more about him than we do about her. From the Chicago Sun Orlando Perez, […]

Penélope Díaz Ramírez is the Third Trans Woman Murdered in Puerto Rico in Ten Day Period

Just days after reporting on the murders of two Latina teens women in Puerto Rico, we’ve learned of the brutal slaying of a third. Penélope Díaz Ramírez, a 31-year-old trans woman, was beaten and hanged to death at the Bayamon correctional complex, a men’s prison in Puerto Rico. She was murdered on April 13, but […]

Two Trans Latina Women From NYC Murdered in Puerto Rico

Serena Angelique Velazquez, 32, of Queens and Layla Pelaez, 21, of the Bronx were visiting their hometowns in Puerto Rico when they were found dead on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Layla was originally from San Juan. Serena’s Facebook profile identifies her as being both of Russian and Latina origin, fluid in three languages. Their bodies […]

My new Q&A column at @BurghVivant with Nicole Gallagher, creator of ‘Mija: one bitch’s tale’

My new regular feature column with ‘Burgh Vivant, Pittsburgh’s cultural talk magazine, debuted Sunday – Seven with Sue is a Q&A focusing on the creators and artists in our region. First up is Nicole Gallagher whose one woman show premiere’s on Wednesday at folkLAB Theater. Take a read and let us know what you think. […]