Kya Felieacan, R.I.P.
I just found out that my Aunty Kya died last night.
She wasn't really my aunt, but she was my de facto mentor on transitioning. She was the first friend I found in the community, via the support group, and we became friends. In a way, we became family. She dubbed herself my "Aunty Kya," although she said she thought of me as her little sister. She once told me that no matter what happens to the support group, she'd always be there if I ever needed anything. We were considering moving in together in the next few months and being roommates (she used to call it "Casa de Transition," ha ha, loved it). I might have taken things for granted; I assumed she would always be there. She was so sweet to me.
Then, I found out through her ex-wife that she passed away.
We don't know what happened yet, but her body was found this morning. I don't know what else to say or think, except that I am devastated. As the support group kind of dwindled away through lack of attendance (in no small part due to the Ventura County Rainbow Alliance's dissolution through lack of funding), she basically was my trans-community. She's gone.
-- Teegan
She wasn't really my aunt, but she was my de facto mentor on transitioning. She was the first friend I found in the community, via the support group, and we became friends. In a way, we became family. She dubbed herself my "Aunty Kya," although she said she thought of me as her little sister. She once told me that no matter what happens to the support group, she'd always be there if I ever needed anything. We were considering moving in together in the next few months and being roommates (she used to call it "Casa de Transition," ha ha, loved it). I might have taken things for granted; I assumed she would always be there. She was so sweet to me.
Then, I found out through her ex-wife that she passed away.
We don't know what happened yet, but her body was found this morning. I don't know what else to say or think, except that I am devastated. As the support group kind of dwindled away through lack of attendance (in no small part due to the Ventura County Rainbow Alliance's dissolution through lack of funding), she basically was my trans-community. She's gone.
-- Teegan