Kira Bellah Tribute

It is with overwhelming sadness that I write to inform you of incredibly sad news. We have lost our longtime member, Kira Bellah. CYC was informed of her passing early this week. The cause is unknown at this time although we do know that Kira had medical issues which became more concerning over the past year.

Kira turned 25 years old on November 13th and she was a member of CYC for an entire decade. She became a member with the Riverside Chapter in October of 1999 when she was 15 years old. During this time, Kira developed a strong connection to Riverside Supporter Jasyn Detmers who she affectionately appointed as her “Mama J”. Fellow member at the time, Alicia Morris, also became very close with Kira and they regarded each other as sisters, roommates, and “Dance Partners for Life”. J, Alicia, and the entire CYC community were all considered by Kira central to her loving family.

Kira actively participated in local community organizing activities with her Riverside Chapter as well as on a statewide level. Her first airplane flight was with J when they attended an Advisory Board meeting in San Francisco. Ever since Kira was exhilarated by flying- always choosing a window seat- each flight was as exciting as her very first time and for years, she dreamed of one day becoming an airline attendant. Another favorite hobby of Kira’s was going on really scary and fast amusement park rides. She was known to have a few tricks up her sleeve on how to bypass long lines so she could meet her quota of getting on every ride at least two times in one day!

In August of 2001, she bravely testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Sacramento to advocate for AB 899 (Liu), sponsored by California Youth Connection. Kira was pivotal to the advocacy and success of putting the famous “Foster Youth Bill of Rights” into California law. The video recording of Kira’s testimony was used as a supporter training tool for many years.

Kira was really proud of her contributions towards making important legislative and policy change and witnessed its far reaching impact. Her commitment to foster care system reform picked up momentum while at the same time, she was courageously coming out as transgender. Kira was embraced by the CYC community and in 2004 she became a core Youth Trainer for Out of Home Youth Advocacy Council (OHYAC), a project to improve care and outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth and families involved in the California foster care system. In the coordination role of the OHYAC youth trainers, I became one of Kira’s primary supports and have been by her side every since to navigate through life challenges and celebrate successes.

In 2006, Kira moved to San Francisco and became involved with the San Francisco Chapter. She loved going to CYC conferences- many of her most cherished memories are when she was surrounded by members, supporters, and staff. We have many fond memories of “Diva Kira” talent show performances at conferences- she was a big fan of being on stage. For the past two years, Kira participated in a local transitional program and her Case Manager, Lisa Howe, cared about her very much and supported Kira tremendously to work towards her goals.

In recent months, Kira expressed a strong desire to spend time with her family in the southern California area and “Mama J” and her family in North Carolina as she missed all of them so very much. Kira leaves behind “Mama J” and her boys- Talyn (14) and Tytus (8), and grandma Beula. Her mother Tammie, her partner Sharron, brother Richard (17), and sister Candice (29).

Kira was a beautiful, brave, generous, loving, articulate, smart, and passionate person who strongly influenced the lives of many. She will undoubtedly be remembered by the CYC Community as a respected and loved member and friend forever. Please keep Kira’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. We encourage the CYC Community to support one another and create opportunities for sharing feelings, memories, and stories to help us mourn her loss and to begin moving forward.

Jasyn and I are planning a memorial celebration of Kira’s life in the New Year to be held in San Francisco and everyone will be informed of the details as soon as they are confirmed.

Also, a Home-Going Celebration is being held by the Essex community, where she lived and received support services. Members of the CYC community are invited to attend. The celebration is on Thursday, December 10th at 1pm at Essex Hotel 684 Ellis St. in San Francisco.