Buffalo

Kita's Legacy: Remembering Tonya Harvey

2023-10-24

In the vibrant city of Buffalo, New York, a talented and radiant individual named Tonya Harvey, affectionately known as Kita, left an indelible mark on her community. Her life was a tapestry of remarkable talents, profound struggles, and unwavering faith. While she was celebrated as a fantastic dancer, performer, singer-songwriter, and gifted writer, her story is marred by the harsh realities of drug abuse and occasional involvement in the world of escort services.

Tonya's multifaceted identity made her a captivating figure among her friends and the LGBTQIA+ community in Buffalo. Those who knew her intimately referred to her as a "showstopper" and a devout Christian. Her story is one of resilience and courage, as she navigated the complexities of life as a transgender woman of color.

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Tonya "Kita" HarveyPhoto byBlackGirlTragic

On that fateful Tuesday, February 6, 2018, a dark cloud descended upon Buffalo. Tonya was brutally shot six times on Shepard Street, a dead-end road. The assailant who committed this heinous act remains unidentified to this day. She was struck in the head, neck, buttocks, groin, and back, a level of violence that shook the local community and the nation.

Her tragic murder, however, was not an isolated incident. It represented a larger epidemic in the United States: the alarming and heart-wrenching trend of brutal murders of transgender women of color. In 2018 alone, Tonya became the fourth victim of this hateful wave.

In the wake of this tragedy, Ari Moore, a prominent Buffalo trans activist, responded to the news, shedding light on the persistent hatred, bigotry, and violent attacks faced by transgender people on a daily basis. The transgender community in Buffalo and beyond rallied together, determined to honor Tonya's memory and to bring her assailant to justice.

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Rally for KitaPhoto byWIVB

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office acknowledged the gravity of Tonya's murder, expressing deep concern about the escalating number of homicides targeting transgender individuals across the country. They pledged to investigate whether her murder was a potential hate crime. Yet, as time passed, no further statements were released, and the investigation yielded no leads disclosed to the public.

Four years after Tonya's untimely death, media attention has waned significantly. The Buffalo Police Department has not officially declared her murder a hate crime, an omission that many believe to be a massive oversight, given the brutal nature of her death and her identity as a transgender woman of color.

In October 2018, eight months after Tonya's death, her grieving family took action, offering a $4,000 reward to anyone who could provide information leading to an arrest or indictment in her murder case. This act was a testament to their unwavering commitment to seeking justice for their beloved Kita.

In 2019, just over a year after Tonya's death, a remembrance rally was held in her honor at Buffalo Town Hall. This event served as a poignant reminder that, although the police investigation may have stalled and the media may have moved on, Tonya was a known and loved member of the Buffalo LGBTQIA+ community whose memory will never fade.

The tragic tale of Tonya "Kita" Harvey is one of courage, resilience, and a call to action against the disturbing wave of violence targeting transgender individuals, particularly women of color. It reminds us that even in the face of injustice and prejudice, communities can come together to remember, honor, and fight for justice. Tonya's legacy lives on as a beacon of hope, and her story serves as a rallying cry to confront the hatred and bigotry that still persist in society.


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