Gigi Diaz abducted in 1979 while staying in San Francisco, California. Gigi frequently traveled back and forth from San Francisco to San Diego, California. At the time of Gigi's disappearance, she was staying in San Francisco at a friends flat, I was introduced to Gigi's friend only once. We met in San Diego, California, I don't recall her name. I remember that Gigi's friend had a Jamaican accent and was very unique and beautiful. According to Gigi's friend Gigi left her flat to go out for a walk and returned a couple hours later disheveled and physically abused. Apparently, Gigi said that she had gotten into a hassle that escalated into a fist fight with a man on the street. Shortly after Gigi had arrived at her friends Gigi left again to go look for this man to confront him. Gigi never returned, that was the last time that anyone who knew Gigi saw her.

The photo I posted was taken of Gigi a few months prior to her disappearance. I believe that Gigi was in her late 20's early 30's when she went missing. This sounds terrible but I never knew Gigi's actual date of birth or age. I was a minor when we first met and a very out and loud young lesbian. Gigi was one of the few people who accepted me, no questions asked. I'm sure that today that seems like nothing, but back then it was a lot, especially to someone who was my age.

Gigi was slender, tall and strikingly beautiful. She was always very well dressed and never went anywhere without her, medications and self prescribed pharmaceuticals (Black Beauties and Quaaludes). She did not adorn herself with a lot of make-up or jewelry. She smoked Gitanes or Cloves. She carried an authentic Louis Vuitton monogram tote bag and a leather backgammon set. She loved to play backgammon. During the day she liked to dress casual, often wearing designer jeans, a simple white blouse and open toe shoes. She went to the beauty salon at least twice a month for a manicure and pedicure. Her hair was a dark auburn, styled to the shoulder. She had light brown eyes, olive skin with a very good complexion. Gigi was not a boisterous woman but she was not meek either. She had a diplomatic way about her, but if someone tried to get physical with her she wouldn't hesitate to defend herself. She had a very entertaining personality and a good sense of humor. She was sensitive to others, especially the homeless and she was very generous. She could move in and out of many circles with poise and grace. Both men and woman found her extremely attractive and intriguing. She's the only woman that I have ever known that could run in stilettos. She adored classic films and things from the Art Deco period. She loved to listen to David Bowie and The Rolling Stones. Everywhere she went she was treated like a VIP. At night she enjoyed going out to a gay disco or club. She adored China Town and Pacific Heights. In San Diego she spent a lot of her time in La Jolla, Mission Hills or Sunset Cliffs. Gigi had a very loving relationship with her mom and close friends. Everyone who knew her dearly missed her. At the time of her disappearance, the San Francisco Police Department did very little to assist her mom and friends in their search for Gigi. I spoke with the San Francisco Police, directly, when Gigi disappeared, they were offensive and callous. They indulged in cruel and insensitive jokes about Gigi's transgender. They did not seem interested in pursuing her case and they did not give any importance to her disappearance. Nor did they consider abduction as the cause and reason for Gigi's disappearance. The San Francisco Police that I spoke with had this opinion, "One less queer." It was the end of the 1970's and this was typical of the time. Gigi was close to the last stages of transitioning when she was abducted.

In 2003 I contacted the San Francisco Police Department in hopes of obtaining a copy of Gigi's file. I was told that her file had been discarded, thrown out, I was shocked to hear this. I thought that Gigi's case would have been transferred to cold case files or unsolved cases, but not thrown out. Unfortunately, my own records and photographs were stolen from me in 1986-87. Regrettably, I also lost contact with Gigi's mom. Our best friends Paula, Joey and Steve are now deceased. I have no other resources available that I can use to gather any information about Gigi and what actually took place the day she disappeared. I am able to hold onto hope of someday finding something out about what really happened to Gigi.

I dare not think what you suffered at the hands of your abductor. I pray you realized that this was to be your last flight. That you closed your eyes and heart and surrendered yourself unto death. Gigi, my dearest friend, lover and partner, the part of me that belonged to you is yours to this day. Thoughts of you fill my eyes with tears and makes my heart feel as if there is a millstone tied around it. How I still long to feel the tips of your red nails cascade like cool water on my pale skin.

©Petra Maricela Thompson Violetarojo

February 12, 2008 a day like any other day for any other teenager except Lawrence King. This day would bring to an end the life of a boy with courage enough to withstand Goliath. Lawrence of Ventura, California sat in the computer lab at Oxnard, California's E. O. Green Junior High School. Larry was unaware that in seconds one of his peers would put a gun to the back of his head then fire two shots that would close his eyes forever.

The saddest part of this is the constant reminder that hate kills. Unfortunately people don’t seem to care enough when it comes to a young person strong in the knowing of who they are. A young man that had the ability to celebrate the way he was born instead of reject and torture himself. Even if it meant that he would be ridiculed, harassed, bullied, beaten or taunted by his fellow students, family or strangers. Fortunately Larry's family embraced and supported him as did many of his friends.

Prior to his death as Valentines day approached he had his heart set on whom he would ask to be his Valentine. Perhaps what went through his heart and mind was that at worse the person that larry was asking would say 'no' or even go so far as to punch him. The final price was far greater than Larry or anyone else ever thought it possibly could or would be. You see being that Larry was gay he naturaly asked a boy and not a girl to be his Valentine. Larry's decision to celebrate Valentines, a day designated to celebrate love cost Lawrence King his life.