In Honor of Kiara St. James

On Saturday, July 18th, friends, chosen family, and fellow advocates gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Kiara St. James, founder and executive director of the New York Transgender Advocacy Group (NYTAG). Kiara was a fierce advocate for the Black transgender community and a loving, compassionate, brilliant, and fearless leader whose impact extended far beyond New York. Decriminalize Sex Work Legal Director Melissa Broudo, serves on NYTAG's Board of Directors and was a close friend of Kiara.

The memorial featured moving performances and tributes celebrating Kiara's life, along with remarks from many of the advocates who worked alongside her, including Ceyenne Doroshow, Founder of GLITS; Kenyon Farrow, President of NYTAG's Board of Directors; Tanya Aspasia Walker, Co-founder of NYTAG and Board Member of Equality New York; and many others. Throughout the afternoon, speakers reflected on Kiara's unwavering commitment to justice and her ability to lead with love, inclusion, and joy even in the face of immense adversity. Her legacy will continue through the communities she strengthened and the movement she helped build.