Her Name Was Em

Our  hearts are broken. We, family and friends, have lost  Em in the horrific fire in Oakland on December 2, 2016. We would like everyone to know that Em was transitioning into a beautiful, wonderful, happy woman. We  wish she had more time to complete her transition. It was so wonderful to see her becoming who she was meant to be. We will be forever grateful to Em for being part of our lives.

We would also like to express our support and love to everyone in the transgender community.  There were many from the transgender community at the event. There are far too few spaces for trans people to feel safe and free to express themselves. Although the building itself was not physically safe, the community of beautiful people felt safe with each other. We are establishing this fund   in memory of Em, so that more transgender people will be able to become who they truly are, and so that there will be more safe spaces available.

Em had planned to move to NYC in January to connect with the trans community there and to advocate for transgender rights as well as to make new friends, so we believe this is an appropriate way to honor her life and her memory.

All of the money collected will be given to agencies that are dedicated to helping trans folk with housing, advocacy,  job placement, and the basic necessities of life.