Lorena Borjas, a transgender Latina activist from Queens, New York, will be remembered for her decades-long dedication to advocating for marginalized communities, particularly transgender women, undocumented immigrants, sex workers, and people living with HIV/AIDS. Known as the "Mother of the Transgender Latinx Community" in Jackson Heights, Borjas was a tireless fighter for social justice, and her legacy continues to inspire those who work for equality and human rights. Her extraordinary journey is captured in the 2019 documentary The Story of Lorena Borjas, directed by Eddy Duran. The film sheds light on her life, struggles, and unwavering commitment to supporting her community despite the many obstacles she faced, including personal trauma, health challenges, and legal troubles. Borjas' story is one of resilience, compassion, and a relentless pursuit of justice for those who had been abandoned by society.
Lorena Borjas was born in 1960 in Veracruz, Mexico. From a young age, Borjas experienced the challenges of living in a society that was unaccepting of her gender identity. At seventeen, she ran away from home and lived on the streets of Mexico City. She eventually studied public accounting but felt that her future in Mexico was limited, particularly as she struggled with her gender identity. In 1981, at the age of 20, Borjas emigrated to the United States, seeking the freedom to transition and access medical support for her gender-affirming care. Upon arriving in New York, she initially worked in a belt factory while living in a cramped apartment in Jackson Heights, Queens, shared with 20 other transgender women. This neighborhood would become the heart of Borjas' activism. In Jackson Heights, Borjas discovered a deep sense of community among transgender Latinx people, especially transgender women who worked in the sex trade to survive. Despite facing abuse, violence, and marginalization, Borjas found strength in these women, and she made it her life's mission to support and uplift them.
Borjas' life in the U.S. was not without hardship. In the 1980s, she faced many challenges, including becoming a victim of sex trafficking. She struggled with crack cocaine addiction, which led her to engage in riskier sex work. During this tumultuous time, Borjas was arrested multiple times, which jeopardized her legal status in the country. However, in 1986, Borjas was granted amnesty under the Immigration Reform and Control Act, which allowed her to stay in the U.S. She became a legal permanent resident in 1990, but in the same year, she was arrested on charges related to prostitution and trafficking. In truth, she was a victim of trafficking herself, a fact that would later be acknowledged by the courts. Despite these setbacks, Borjas remained determined to make a difference.
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By 1995, Borjas decided to fully devote herself to activism. Motivated by her own experiences as a transgender immigrant and a survivor of violence and trafficking, she began advocating for the rights and dignity of transgender people, particularly transgender women of color. Borjas became an outspoken critic of the systemic abuse and neglect faced by transgender people, especially those involved in sex work. Borjas worked tirelessly to improve the lives of transgender individuals in Queens, New York. She would often walk the streets of Jackson Heights, distributing condoms to sex workers, setting up syringe exchanges for transgender people undergoing hormone therapy, and offering HIV testing in her own home. She provided food, shelter, and legal support for transgender women, ensuring they had access to essential services and protection from harm. In 1995, Borjas organized the first transgender march in Queens, an act that marked the beginning of her extensive work in transgender rights activism. She was also involved in various community organizations, including the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, where she advocated for transgender immigrants facing deportation and criminal charges. Borjas’ activism extended beyond individual aid; she sought systemic change through collaboration with lawyers, community leaders, and public officials. She co-founded the Lorena Borjas Community Fund with attorney Chase Strangio, providing financial assistance for transgender individuals involved in legal battles and helping those who were incarcerated or facing deportation.
One of Borjas’ key focuses was supporting transgender immigrants, particularly those facing legal issues related to immigration and criminal charges. Many of the people she helped were undocumented and at risk of deportation. Borjas understood the complexities of the immigration system, having navigated it herself, and she became a staunch advocate for her fellow immigrants. Chase Strangio, a deputy director at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), worked closely with Borjas for many years. He described her as a "co-conspirator" in the fight for transgender justice. He recalled how Borjas regularly brought people in need of legal support to his office, ensuring that their cases received the attention they deserved. Through their efforts, the Lorena Borjas Community Fund was created to provide financial assistance to transgender individuals caught in the criminal justice and immigration systems. Borjas also created mutual aid funds during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately impacted transgender people and undocumented immigrants. She worked tirelessly to raise funds and resources to support her community during these difficult times.
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Despite her unwavering advocacy, Borjas faced ongoing legal issues due to her past arrests. In 1994, she was convicted of facilitating a crime in the fourth degree, a charge stemming from her victimization in the trafficking industry. This conviction made her ineligible for green card renewal and further complicated her immigration status. However, Borjas never gave up on her dream of securing legal citizenship. In 2017, after years of legal battles, Borjas was granted a pardon by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. This pardon restored her legal immigrant status, allowing her to live without the constant fear of deportation. It was a long-awaited victory for Borjas, whose activism had never wavered despite the obstacles in her path. Borjas’ death on March 30, 2020, from complications related to COVID-19 marked the end of an era for transgender activism in Queens. She was 59 years old. Her passing sent shockwaves through the activist community, and tributes poured in from leaders such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. Borjas’ legacy is one of selflessness, compassion, and an unrelenting commitment to justice. She is remembered as a motherly figure in the transgender Latinx community, offering guidance and support to those in need. Whether it was helping someone navigate a legal battle, offering a safe place to stay, or simply providing a shoulder to lean on, Borjas was a constant source of care and hope for many. In recognition of her contributions, New York City honored Borjas by renaming a street in Jackson Heights as "Lorena Borjas Way" in 2021, a testament to the lasting impact she had on her community. She was also added to the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor within the Stonewall National Monument, cementing her place as a pioneer in the fight for transgender rights.
Lorena Borjas’ life was one of extraordinary courage, resilience, and love for others. Through her work, she not only fought for the rights of transgender individuals but also created a lasting support network for those most vulnerable in society. Her activism continues to inspire a new generation of advocates, and her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched and the movements she helped build. As we reflect on her life, it is clear that Lorena Borjas was not just an activist; she was a beacon of light for those living in the shadows, a champion for the voiceless, and a protector of those most in need. Her work serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, community, and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.
Image credits: YouTube
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