Digital Transgender Archive

Gykyira Shoy Oral History

Download the full-sized image of Gykyira Shoy Oral History

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.)

Item Information:

Identifier
9s1616449
Collection
Oral Histories with People of Color
Institution
NYC Trans Oral History Project
Creator(s)
O'Brien, Michelle Esther
Shoy, Gykyira
Contributor(s)
Parsons, Rachel
Publisher
New York Public Library
Date Created
Feb. 15, 2017
Dates Covered
1983 to 2017
Genre
Oral Histories
Places
California
Topic(s)
Abuse
AIDS education
Drag queens
Education
Employment discrimination
Ethnic groups
Gender diversity
LGBTI community
LGBTQ+ sex workers
MtFs
Music
Passing (Gender)
Transitioning (Gender)
Visibility
Resource Type
Audio
Digital Format
Duration 57 minutes 40 seconds
Language
English
Rights
Copyright undetermined
For more information on copyright, please read our policies