August 9, 2026 Update:

Written by Matthew, Maya's partner:

The night of August 6th Maya peacefully transitioned at home in the Castro into their divine dancing self, adorned with all their fabulous drag and paintbrushes in hand. I was holding Maya’s hand for the final moments and letting them know how much they are loved and the value of the beautiful work they have done in this world and all the seeds they have planted.

Maya left this world exactly as they lived it, wrapped in art, queer power, and divine beauty.

As Maya always said, “no matter what I make with my hands, my being will always be my greatest art.” Maya made this world a kinder, deeper, and more meaningful place just by being their full self. Words cannot fully express the depth of love and devotion we shared and also the profound heartbreak of losing such an incredible spirit and soulmate. And an amazing parent, lovingly called “Mod.”

These last days have been a time of adjustment for our family and I know we are not alone in grieving the loss while also celebrating such a wonderfully divine human being. Maya had the amazing gift of making anyone feel safe and loved just by simply being in Maya’s presence. Our plan is to organize a celebration of life in the near future once our family moves through this initial time of grieving and adjustment.

Thank you to everyone for the support with funds and nourishing meals and supporting our press and Maya’s work. These last years and especially these last months have taken a huge toll on our family emotionally, physically, and financially.

And a special, deep thank you to the incredible death doulas at Floripondio, friends, and loved ones who have held space and supported our family through this time.

We remain very grateful for any additional funds you might be able to donate toward continuing medical bills, memorial funds and legal fees for securing Maya’s legacy and continuing the important work that Maya birthed into this world.

Art and creativity have always been how Maya processed the world, especially to hold big feelings and know their self more. You can download coloring pages from Maya’s sketchbook for free on our website in honor of Maya. These offered me a lot of comfort during these last weeks as I sat by Maya’s side. Thank you again to everyone for your continued support of Maya, their work, and books. It has meant the absolute world to our family.

With deep gratitude, immense love, and a whole lotta lipstick!

August 2, 2026 Update:

Maya is home now and under hospice care. We don't know how much time they have left with us and want to continue to create a loving and supportive space for them as they transition. Please send love and positive energy for Maya and loved ones. Given Maya's current condition, they are unable to accept visitors at this time. Matthew is also unable to keep up with texting and messaging right now so please visit Maya’s CaringBridge for updates or to send love in comments or via CaringBridge tributes.

Also, it would be very helpful at this time if you could provide at least one hot meal for Maya's family. If so, we ask that you have something dropped off or delivered (see CaringBridge page to coordinate).

As always, GoFundMe donations are still very much needed to help cover ongoing hospital and hospice care. Thank you!

Click HERE for the CaringBridge Link.

July 2026 Update:

To everyone who loves Maya,

We wanted to share that Maya’s cancer has returned and they are currently back in the hospital. Maya requires specialized care and was sent even further away from home, making it even more difficult for family and loved ones to care for them. This has taken an immense emotional and financial toll on Maya and loved ones who want to bring Maya back home or at least closer to home so Maya can receive the love and support of family for this part of the journey wherever it may lead.

Maya has been so generous with their love and commitment to uplifting others and this is a time of sending that immense love back. <3

We know times are incredibly rough right now for so many of us. But if at all possible, please help by contributing to Maya’s GoFundMe campaign or buying more of Maya’s artwork/books. And please share this with at least one other person who might be able to help. Thank you!

With love,

Isabel (on behalf of Maya's family)

Prior May Update from Matthew (Maya’s Partner):

This has been, without a doubt, the hardest chapter of our lives. And has shown us just how deep our love goes…for each other, our family, and the larger community work we do together.

Following a medical crisis from a seizure in February and the completion of a major phase of cancer treatment in March, Maya has been home these last few months in an active, focused period of healing. Their legendary and fierce "Powerhouse" spirit is of course shining through. If you know Maya, you know exactly what I’m talking about. As one nurse said, “Maya is crushing it.”

But the road hasn't been a straight line. Navigating insurance delays for critical physical therapy unfortunately contributed to an accidental fall and fracture at the end of April.

But true to form, Maya is already back home, working hard to sit and stand and get back to walking, and proving their resilience every single day. Maya is no stranger to overcoming health challenges with divine grace. As Maya says, “Everything heals. Heal Everything.”

Why Support is Needed

Because Maya is the main face of our work and I am currently trying to balance caregiving, parenting our teen, and keeping everything afloat, our daily operations have naturally had to slow down. Maya’s art, Reflection Press, and the Gender Wheel are independent, community-supported operations—when we have to step away, our income steps away, too.

Funds help us bring in physical therapy to bypass insurance hurdles, get some extra hands for day-to-day care, and hire temporary support to keep our indie press running, fill orders, and get upcoming books out into the world. Community support keeps our vital queer & trans owned businesses alive and stable while Maya does the hard work of healing.

Ways you can help:

*Donations (any amount is greatly appreciated)

*Send a meal through DoorDash

*Healing thoughts, loving prayers, and community rituals. As Louise Hay once wrote, “Love is the most healing power there is,”

*Support Maya's artwork - https://maya-gonzalez-shop.square.site/

(keep an eye out for art sales to help us fund this next phase of healing)

*Support Reflection Press - https://reflectionpress.com/

*Local to SF Bay Area or have tech skills? - get in touch with Matthew, we’re looking for extra hands who can do jobs in exchange for art, books, or other in-kind payment.

It’s a challenging time for many folks these days so thank you, thank you for the love and support in whatever ways you can right now.

More About Maya (in their words):

My art is a commentary on consciousness, creativity, and spirit.....whether I'm making fine art, children's illustrations or providing professional development trainings.

For those curious about my art background.... I've been making art professionally for over 3 decades now. I have shown my fine art internationally and appeared in numerous books about the Chicanx art movement. My piece, The Love that Stains, is featured on the cover of Contemporary Chicana and Chicano Art. I also have illustrated over 30 award-winning children's books including the Pura Belpre Honor book, My Colors, My World.

For those curious about my social justice and gender diversity work: I'm a progressive educator with 40+ years of experience teaching, inspiring, and empowering children and adults to create systemic change in their lives and in the world. In 2010 I created the Gender Wheel, a nature-based, decolonized, and holistic approach to body, gender, and relationship diversity.

More about me: www.mayagonzalez.com

Join my Divine Creative Practice on Patreon: www.patreon.com/mayagonzalez

More about the Gender Wheel: www.genderwheel.com

and join the Gender Wheel Patreon: www.patreon.com/genderwheel

More about my indie press, Reflection Press: www.reflectionpress.com