MTPC mourns the loss of beloved community member, Jahaira DeAlto.
See MTPC’s official press release here.
Update: A community vigil and memorial service for Jahaira will be held on May 22 at 12:00pm at Franklin Park in Boston, MA. More details are forthcoming.
If you would like to donate to help hold the memorial service and cover her family’s expenses, you can do so here.
MTPC is mourning the loss of beloved community member and dear friend, Jahaira DeAlto. Jahaira was a brilliant person, whose profound impact could be felt far and wide. Known for her kindness and generosity, she had a beautiful smile, a way with words and wit that was unmatched. A nurturing mother to many community members and legend in Boston’s ballroom scene, Jahaira was also a social justice activist, who spoke at the very first Trans Day of Remembrance and worked on the ground in Boston beginning at Boston GLASS. After moving to Pittsfield, she began her journey as a student at Berkshire Community College and as a counselor at the Elizabeth Freeman Center, setting the course towards an eventual LICSW. Her journey brought her back to Boston to continue at Simmons College as a double major in Social Work and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, consultant for MTPC, and cofounding member of Trans Resistance. Jahaira was an outspoken advocate, “galvanizing people to uplift each other through the common experience of feeling outcasted”. She leaves an indelible mark and an unforgettable legacy.
“I am the mother who raised the children whose rainbow sparkled too brightly and blinded their birth moms. I cherished what they discarded. I took on earthly assignments for the moms who’d earned their heavenly reward. For babies who still need raising. I did that.
And I’m still doing that. And I’ll keep doing that. Because I will never know what seeing my DNA reflected in another’s eyes could look like, but I know what gratitude in the eyes of a young person who finally feels seen looks like. And for me, that’s enough.”
Jahaira M. DeAlto @JahairasMission May 10, 2020
She was recently mourning the loss of her longest friend and fellow staple in the Boston community Ta’Aliyah Ayanna “Endego” Jones who died from the coronavirus in January. You can read her beautiful tribute to Ta’Aliyah here.
Jahaira’s death continues to be a devastating reminder of how much violence trans people, particularly trans women of color face every day, as she is the 21st trans person (that we know of) killed in the U.S. We will follow up when more information and details of the investigation are available.
The Mass Trans Political Coalition would like to extend our deepest condolences to Jahaira’s relatives, children, chosen family and friends, the House of Balenciaga and the ballroom community, and all those she touched and loved. Trans Resistance is organizing the 2nd annual Trans Resistance March, Vigil and Pride Fest to be held at Franklin Park on Saturday, June 12th 2021 in honor of Jahaira’s memory.
One of Jaharia’s many accomplishments and passions was her work with domestic violence survivors. If you or someone you know is experiencing partner abuse, please reach out to The Network La Red or the local DV organization in your area.
Updated 5/6/2021
