Angelica Christina

Happy Heavenly Birthday to my sister, mother, best friend, my everything...Naiomi Cruz Xtravaganza. This still hurts so badly to put into words but I want to because her story deserves to be told. Her name deserves to be written and said aloud. Naiomi came into my life at a time when I was yearning for a real, loving family structure. I'd been kicked out of my home for being trans which left a longing in my heart. I met Naiomi at a house meeting (during our House of Legacy International days) and immediately was enamored with her. I was stunned to meet another trans woman that looked the way Naiomi did. She was as sweet as she was beautiful, and my goodness she WAS beautiful. People flocked to her because of her physical beauty. But what was so wonderful about her was that her outsides matched her insides. She was truly one of the kindest, most loyal people you could ever meet. She had a heart of gold that she wore on her sleeve which just made you want to love on her. And honey, she could dress! She had style, pizazz, grace, all the things! I miss the times when we'd get ready together whether it was to go to a club or to a ball. I miss her laugh. I miss having her strength, wisdom and candor in my life. I miss her so much. It's difficult writing this without crying but it's important to. What happened to Naiomi was wrong. She was killed by a medical team at whom she trusted her very life with. She went in for a routine kidney stone removal and never woke up. They murdered a brown trans woman and presumably are getting away with it. As someone that isn't her biological sister, I'm limited to what information I can have access to. I'm limited to seeking justice for her...it's so painful. But I do her justice by telling her story and speaking her name, especially on her birthday. I thank the universe every single day for bringing this incredible human being into my life. I will cherish our memories forever. Happy birthday Naiomi. I love you. Always. 🥀💔