About Sakia Gunn

Sakia was a 15 year old charismatic, dynamic young woman who was out and proud about being an 'aggressive' – according to the GLAAD web-site, a homosexual woman of color who dresses in masculine attire but does not necessarily identify as either lesbian or female-to-male transgender.  Many of these young women mimic the esthetics of male rappers that are seen on the popular television programs for young urban youth of color. Sakia held promise as a basketball player and was looking forward to becoming an upperclassman at Newark’s West Side High.  She and her friends were returning from socializing at NYC’s Greenwich Village piers.  The 'piers' is a popular spot for lesbian, gay, and transgendered (LGBT) youth.

On the night Sakia was murdered, two men targeted them and wanted to instigate trouble.  First flirting with and propositioning the 'femmes' in their group.  The girls rebuffed the sexual advances of the much older assailants.  Words were exchanged, a fight ensued, and Sakia was stabbed.  She died in the arms of her best friend, Valencia. Several rallies and vigils have subsequently been held, galvanizing the Newark community, prompting several LGBT organizations to form – The Newark Pride Alliance and Sakia Gunn Aggressives & Femmes, as well as a scholarship fund in her name – established by Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.