A letter to Soraya Santiago (1947-2020)

losangelesblade.com:

Dear Soraya, You impacted the lives of so many. Your comments were always honest and from the heart. I remember the first time that I was given the opportunity to meet you.

It was just before you ran for public office. You were the first member of the LGBT+ community and first transgender woman in the PNP (pro-statehood) party, ever to run in an election (for City Council in Carolina.) I was so nervous, meeting an iconic figure of our LGBT+ Puerto Rican community.

You were the first to transition in the 70s; you were the first to legally change your documents including your passport and Social Security card; you married and divorced legally and had a business for more than 35 years.