Moving trans solidarity for beloved Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
New York City
On November 22 at Riverside Church, hundreds of followers arrived in New York City for a historic event to honor Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, one of the Black trans women who led the Stonewall Rebellion in June 1969. Miss Major passed away on Oct. 13 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Ceyenne and Qween Jean hold photo of Miss Major, Riverside Church, New York City, Nov. 22, 2025. WW Photo: Renée Andrea Imperato
There were many moving addresses by Miss Major’s longtime partner Beck Witt, Miss Ceyenne of G.L.I.T.S, Qween Jean of Black Trans Liberation Kitchen and other family members and supporters. It was an historic memorial that will always be remembered by all of us.
Miss Major will always be guiding and protecting us and reminding us of the great sacrifice she made. As she would say, “I’m still fucking here.”
Unfortunately, reflecting the transphobia in parts of the church and elsewhere, the memorial was cut off halfway by the church because of one quote using a swear word. Miss Major often said — with many people not understanding — that we do not use the so-called wrong bathroom as the church organizers told us.
The same problem happened at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City in 2024 at transgender activist Cecilia Gentilli’s memorial — reminding us that we have a long way to go in educating to end the miseducation and misunderstanding of our transgender community.
For a tribute to Miss Major, see: workers.org/2025/11/89077/.
