Candlelight Vigil To Be Held For Slain Transgender Activist

Berkshire Pride, Elizabeth Freeman Center, and Christopher Liljeholm mourn the loss of Jahaira DeAlto and we hold space for all that knew her. A candlelight vigil will be held in her honor on Saturday, May 8th at 5:00 PM at Pontoosuc Park in Pittsfield. Attendees are asked to wear masks and abide by social distancing protocols.

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Ballroom legend from the House of Balenciaga, Jahaira was a loyal friend, a fierce advocate, and a mother/grandmother/auntie to many. Her unconditional love was felt by all who met her and her kind and funny spirit left its mark on the Berkshires—from the classrooms at Berkshire Community College to the offices of Elizabeth Freeman Center, from helping launch the first Transgender Day of Remembrance and Berkshire Pride Festival to "being all the things," as she liked to say.

Passionate about ending violence and an amazing orator, Jahaira has been the keynote speaker in many conferences, including the keynote address at the 2019 Victims Rights Conference held by the Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance.

“I was born with an opinion about everything and an acute inability to shut the hell up,” Jahaira has said.

Her impact on the community was profound and her presence will be missed by many.

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