The five people killed in last weekend’s stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair included teachers and stagehands, but the GLBT community also lost Christina Santiago.
Santiago, 29, managed programming for the Lesbian Community Care Project at Howard Brown Health Center in Chicago.
President and CEO Jamal M. Edwards said she was one of the organization’s “brightest stars” and worked to improve the lives of women, especially those who were lesbian, bisexual and transgender. During her six years with the organization, she helped expand the women’s health services division and became “a powerful advocate for all LGBT women,” Edwards said in a recent statement.
Santiago attended the concert with her partner, Alisha Brennon, who was severely injured, Edwards said.
He said Santiago had received numerous accolades for her work and was named to the Windy City Times‘ “30 Under 30” list in 2007.
“Her passion and leadership for caring for others will be deeply missed,” he said.
Santiago grew up the Bronx, according to media reports in New York City.
“Maybe she’s with her mother now. Her mother passed away when we were kids,” childhood friend Gabrielle Rivera told WCBS-TV.
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