Trans Advocate Lorena Borjas Dies Of Coronavirus
Trans advocate and community leader Lorena Borjas has died of coronavirus.
Borjas became an icon for the trans community thanks to her dedication to “uplift generations of Marginalized folks through her deep compassion for others”, as ‘QNS’ reports.
“It is such a dark day for all of us,” said Borjas’ close friend Cecilia Gentili, a trans leader who has played a key role in local advocacy work. Gentili explained that Borjas was first hospitalized at Long Island Jewish Medical Center for a few days as she waited for her COVID-19 test results, but she was discharged before the results arrived.
“They sent her back home, where she really declined,” Gentili added. Borjas was soon hospitalized again, this time at Elmhurst Hospital. Borjas was then transferred to Coney Island Hospital, where she died.
“It was hard to find information because we are not blood family,” Gentili added. “As a family of choice, we don’t have rights. We had to find her proxies.”
Gentili also commented on Borjas’s year-long impact on trans people and sex workers. “I remember going with Lorena in the middle of the night,” Gentili recalled. “She would walk with a bag full of condoms. She would educate people not to have more than two condoms because police could use them as evidence and charge them with prostitution. At the same time, she would walk back and forth to make sure girls had the condoms to do their work.”
Gentili went on to say: “Needed a lawyer? Doctor? Housing? A job? She was there. Lorena was that person who, if you got arrested, you called her at three in the morning and she would answer. First thing in the morning she would be in court with a lawyer to get you out of jail.”
Queens Councilmember Daniel Dromm also expressed condolences, stating: “I am saddened by the tragic loss of my dear friend, Lorena Borjas. Lorena was a superstar in the movement for transgender equality and justice. She helped so many immigrants gain a stable footing here in their new country. Lorena worked tirelessly to ensure that the needs of her community members were met. She touched the lives of so many people here in Queens and will be sorely missed. Her work will live on.”
Read related myGwork articles here:
Top South African HIV Scientist Dies From Coronavirus
Trans Legal Group Releases Coronavirus Guide
Life-Saving Trans Surgeries Are Being Postponed As Hospitals Prepare To Fight COVID-19
Petition To Stop LGB Alliance Gaining Charity Status Signed By More Than 15,000 People
Keep up to date with the latest myGnews
