Sandy Liang Celebrates the Year of the Dragon

Prior to the discovery, she and many of her loved ones contacted police about threats to her safety — all of this following a whirlwind of bans on gender-affirming care, sixteen of which were enacted this year.

Upon finding Mora’s body, the NYPD placed a police seal on the apartment to enable a proper investigation. However, Thomas Geberth of the 46th precinct, the detective assigned to the case, went on vacation the following day, postponing the search and leaving the evidence in record heat for over two weeks. Mary lived in housing provided by Urban Pathways, an organization that aims to make housing more accessible for those at-risk and in-need. In spite of this, the organization contacted Mary’s family demanding the furniture and apartment be given back immediately shortly after the discovery, disavowing the police seal meant to preserve crucial evidence.

The weekend of the memorial, Urban Pathways broke the police seal and erased any and all evidence that would have enabled a reopening of the case. Mary’s loved ones refuse to let names like hers fade into the background. Pauli Cakes, a community organizer and dear sister to Mary, as part of her chosen family, shared a few words to shine a light on the essence of who Mary was and the many dreams she had before she was put to rest:

“Our fallen angel Fernielle “Miss Mary” Mora also known as Mary and Fernie to close friends, was a shining star and beloved community member who tragically passed away in the beginning of July. Mary was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up in the West Bronx. She attended Harvey Milk High School in the Village, and was loved deeply by her friends and family. She was always known to be an unapologetic life force and an intuitive light with an infectious smile and laughter. Mary loved art, astrology, crystallography, fashion, nightlife and tarot. Mary was gifted with the ability to read tarot cards and channel clairvoyant messages from other realms.

She's always been an angel amongst us. 

In 2014, Mary started going out and became a familiar face in the queer nightlife circuit in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Despite the adversities that Mary faced, she always strived to help others. Before her passing Mary had plans to go back to school to find work in an anti-sex trafficking agency and to become an advocate for LGBT youth. She had disclosed to loved ones that she was looking forward to continuing her transition and to a bright future ahead of her. Mary’s story is important and we must continue to shout her name, keeping her memory alive as we fight for her justice. Mary had just turned 26 at the time of her passing; the average life expectancy for trans people in the USA is 35 years old. We ask for friends and loved ones to please continue to amplify Mary's name and story.

We’re also still collecting funds for her family and memorial so please circulate and donate to the GoFundMe. Peace and love in the name of Mary #MissMaryMora”

At the rally, organizers from STARR and F2L and Mary’s friends and family compiled a list of demands on how to proceed forward in protecting the lives of those in the vulnerable trans and queer community. The demands are as follows:

- The City of New York and Mayor Eric Adams must establish a TLGBQ+ committee of dedicated workers trained in TLGBQ+ healthcare and wellbeing — “by Us, and for Us” — as well as a Trans specific SVU task force trained in protecting victims of trafficking and domestic violence.

- Urban Pathways must make a statement of breaking the police seal and entering a crime scene before an investigation is initiated, which is both disrespectful to the grieving community and as negligent as the NYPD postponing the investigation on what was a sensitive case.

- The tree next to Marsha P. Johnson’s fountain, at which the memorial was held, to be named after Mary Mora and an additional monument that highlights Marsha’s fountain to be put in place. As it stands, Johnson’s fountain has no plaque, making it difficult to find.

In conclusion, what we as Mary’s community ask is that a higher regard is given to Trans, Queer Black and Brown lives — the list is not hierarchical. As we grieve Mora’s passing, we are met with the loss of another brother in the public eye, O’Shae Sibley. The most radical act for Queer, Trans, Black, and Brown folk is to live long, unapologetic lives. This is a moment in time that we will get through, but it is not one that we will forget. When trans people are under attack, what do we do? STAND UP. FIGHT BACK.