Interview of Gykyira Shoy

Gykyira Shoy is the Program Director of New York Transgender Advocacy Group (NYTAG). Here, she describes her experience as a trans person of color and her work as an activist, engaged in justice struggles for all people. Beginning with her life in the South, she shares her experiences in the foster care and shelter system, her struggles with sickness, and the journey that brought her to New York City. This interview addresses many topics: female entertainers, the house scene, economic justice issues in the trans community, HIV prevention, youth work, advocacy, empowerment, and others. Gykyira gives a detailed look in to the work of NYTAG. Using her personal journey with activism as a lens, we learn about the many organizations and people working for trans justice today. (Summary by Rachel Parsons.)