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The former Pittsfield resident and transgender activist was murdered Sunday in Boston. The vigil is being organized by Berkshire Pride, her former workplace the Elizabeth Freeman Center, and Christopher Liljeholm, who has been involved in Berkshire Pride events. Jahaira was a one of a kind, and just so special, said Helen Moon, the center s development and communications coordinator and Ward 1 councilor. The Berkshire community and the LGBTQ-plus community, we re not the only ones that have a significant loss, I really believe that just the community at large, we are all at a loss for having lost Jahaira. DeAlto, 42, and Fatima Yasin, 27, were reportedly stabbed to death in DeAlto s Dorchester home. Yasin s husband, Marcus Chavis, 34, was arrested in the murders.
BOSTON Jahaira DeAlto, a longtime advocate for the transgender community who fought for marginalized communities in the Berkshires and beyond, was among two people slain Sunday in a Boston
DeAlto, 42, and Fatima Yasin, 27, were reportedly stabbed to death in DeAlto s Dorchester home. Yasin s husband, Marcus Chavis, 34, was arrested in the murders. DeAlto was a counselor for domestic violence and sexual assault victims, including at the Elizabeth Freeman Center and was most recently Safelink coordinator for Casa Myrna, a shelter and support services provider for domestic abuse survivors in Boston s South End. She spoke frequently on transgender and social justice issues and had been a board member of Berkshire Pride and the Freeman Center s LGBTQIA+ Access Project. Jahaira was a loyal friend, a fierce advocate, and a mother 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 th