05/11/2026
We are incredibly saddened by the passing of visionary leader, organizer, and advocate Kiara St. James.
Kiara’s journey with Housing Works began as an employee at the thrift shop donation warehouse in Queens while developing the advocacy skills that would shape her into a respected organizer, a leader, and national voice for transgender rights.
A fierce advocate, compassionate leader, and brilliant historian, as a peer and staffer, Kiara transformed countless lives across New York State and beyond. With those qualities, she spearheaded and led to the incorporation of the now renown New York Transgender Advocacy Group (NYTAG). She played a critical role in the passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act and more. She fought for safe housing, HIV prevention and treatment access, affirming healthcare, equity and economic justice for Black and Brown people, Transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming communities and so much more.
Her work was rooted not only in survival, but in self-empowerment, love and the unmoving belief that transgender people deserve to be unapologetically who they are. Kiara favored spirituality, healing, community care and justice, building a movement grounded in resilience.
We stand in solidarity with her family, loved ones, colleagues, and the New York Transgender Advocacy Group community as we all mourn her loss together.
Rest in power, Kiara. You will be remembered. 🕊️
With love,
Valerie Reyes-Jimenez, NYC Community Organizer
Housing Works Staff and Community