Rest in love, Nona Conner
December 2, 1983 - May 13, 2021
We miss you, Butterfly Nona.
Nona Conner (1983-2021) was a poet, an organizer, and an advocate. She was a daughter, a sister, a mother, and a friend. She will live in our hearts forever.
Nona was a visionary and caring advocate.
Nona’s commitment to advancing justice for Black trans women and her empathy for the plight of others stemmed from her own experiences. Having experienced homelessness starting at around 14 years old, Nona survived through forming bonds with other Black trans girls and looking out for one another to survive.
Nona grew up to be a visionary, caring leader in the fight for safety for Black and brown trans and queer people in the DMV, including sex work decriminalization, anti-harassment and anti-violence efforts, and fighting for access to jobs and housing. She was especially passionate about supporting people at the margins of society, like Black people who are homeless, sex workers, drug users, and Disabled.
Nona was our sister.
There’s so much to say about Nona. She was hilarious and quick with it, she was an incredible storyteller, she was so generous and gracious. Nona loved to write poetry and to sing. She was gifted with a beautiful, full voice, and gospel was her favorite. She prayed fiercely for her loved ones and never hesitated to help a stranger, encouraging us all to “be blessed and a blessing.”
Nona loved creating funny videos and pictures of herself and sharing them with her friends. She kept it real and gave incredible, honest advice. She cared deeply and would do anything for the people she loved, even when she was in deep chronic pain. Nona was always there when you needed her most. Nona was always there when you felt like you had nobody else.
Because of her light and aura, she was really popular in DC. Wherever she went, she’d run into someone wanting to say hi to Butterfly!
Nona will be missed forever.
Nona was a survivor and a part of the DC Survivor Support effort. She sadly passed away of an overdose in May 2021, still in her abusive housing situation.
Nona didn’t get the help she needed and so deserved. The world failed Nona, and we will never forget her or stop fighting for her legacy.
Nona wanted safety and love for Black trans women. She dreamed of having safe and stable housing near her friends, family, and community, and all of the people she loved having safe places to live.
The love we have for Nona can’t be expressed with words, and the pain we feel at her loss is hard to describe. This world is better having had Nona in it, and we will carry her spirit with us everywhere.