Nona Conner
Nona Moselle Conner (December 12, 1983 – May 13, 2021) was a Washington, D.C.-based activist for the rights of sex workers, women of color and transgender women.
Nona Moselle Conner | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 12, 1983 |
| Died | May 13, 2021 (aged 37) |
Career
She was a member of the Collective Action for Safe Spaces (an anti-street harassment nonprofit) after being introduced to its executive director, Jessica Raven, by a friend at Whitman-Walker Health.[1] Since 2016, she had a paid position at CASS.[1] She was an organizer of CASS's DecrimNow campaign, which aimed to decriminalize sex work.[2]
Personal life
Conner described herself as a "triple minority": black, gay and transgender.[1]
Conner had previously been stabbed 48 times by a man in what was a suspected anti-transgender hate crime, after she rejected his request to give him oral sex. She had previously suffered housing insecurity, financial instability, and was previously involved in sex work.[3]
References
- Hughes, Sarah Anne (June 1, 2016). "Trans Women in D.C. Face Extreme Harassment and Violence. That's Why This Nonprofit Wants to #HireNona". Washington City Paper.
- DeLoach, Jordan N. (March 2, 2019). "Decriminalizing Sex Work Is a Matter of Survival". Truthout.
- Vargas, Theresa (May 22, 2021). "Before she died, a Black transgender woman wrote she was 'tired of being not heard.' Her loved ones hope people now listen". The Washington Post.
- Milton, Josh (May 24, 2021). "Nona Conner, a trans woman who fought tirelessly for sex workers, dies aged 37". PinkNews.
- Chibbaro, Jr., Lou (May 24, 2021). "D.C. trans women remembered at vigil". Washington Blade.
Further reading
- A Tribute to Our Beloved Nona (1983 – 2021), by Je'Kendria Trahan of Collective Action D.C.