Friday, July 12, 2013

Longtime San Francisco Trans Activist Jazzie Collins Passes Away


San Francisco based activist Jazzie Collins, who called the city home for over twenty years, was recently honored by the California legislature's LGBT Caucus and was a tireless advocate and voice for all the Bay Area's marginalized communities has passed away at age 54.

The comments are pouring in on her Facebook page for this beloved Bay Area trans elder from all of the people who knew and loved her. 

Photo: Rest in power sister Jazzie.California Assemblyman Rich Gordon (D-Menlo Park), Chair of the Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus, and Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) released the following statement in response to the passing of Ms. Collins.

“Jazzie was absolutely glowing last month when the LGBT Caucus honored her in the Capitol,” said Assemblymember Tom Ammiano. “Of course, we were the ones honored to have her with us, gracing us with her stature as a community leader and a human being. Her work for justice and equality in San Francisco will have long-lasting impact, as will her advocacy for communities that needed her voice. Her death robs us of that voice, and she is missed.”

“Today we lost an advocate and a leader,” Assemblyman and LGBT Caucus chair Rich Gordon said. “Jazzie Collins worked tirelessly on behalf of all communities, serving as an untiring advocate for the poor, for the transgender community and truly, for all San Francisco residents. While we celebrate her Ms. Collins and her life’s work, her spirit will continue to live on through the many lives she has touched. On behalf of the LGBT Caucus, we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones. May she rest in power.”


Collins was a Trans March board member,  vice chair of the LGBT Seniors Task Force and head volunteer for the San Francisco Senior Action Network.

Here's YouTube video of Jazzie speaking during a 2011 OccupySF event




Indeed, we have lost an iconic leader and advocate and she will be missed.

1 comment:

Amaricon QUEer said...

Thank you for posting this. Seeing a video of Jazzie doing her thing made me smile. We will miss her dearly.