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Transgender Woman Killed in Suspicious Fire in Brooklyn

Transgender Woman Killed in Suspicious Fire in Brooklyn

Lorena_escalera2
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As residents streamed out of a building in New York, escaping the three-alarm fire that had engulfed their four-story complex in a gritty neighborhood of Brooklyn, one woman wasn't with them: Lorena Escalera, a 25-year-old transgender woman who was called the "Puerto Rican Beyonce" by neighbors, fans, and fellow performers.

According to The New York Times, it took 65 firefighters over half an hour to battle the blaze early Saturday morning. A passing motorist actually roused most of the residents ("He was kicking on everyone's door to let them know there was a fire," said one survivor to the New York Post). The good samaritan helped rescue a baby and usher residents out of the building.

But Escalera, a performer with the House of Xtravaganza, whose stage name was La'reina Xtravaganza, was found dead upstairs after firefighters used thermal imaging equipment to search the building.

Investigators have deemed the fire suspicous, according to the Times, though fire marshals haven't found accelerant, the most common sign of arson.

Gothamist reported that Escalera had company that evening before the fire, two men another witness may have later seen arguing outside the building at the time of the fire

Escalera, who worked as an escort to pay the bills, described herself on Facebook as a simple, honest, and humble person, posting, "I always believe in RESPECT." If her death is indeed murder and not simply a fire-related tragedy, police will now have to find out who didn't respect Escalera.

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Diane Anderson-Minshall

Diane Anderson-Minshall is the CEO of Pride Media, and editorial director of The Advocate, Out, and Plus magazine. She's the winner of numerous awards from GLAAD, the NLGJA, WPA, and was named to Folio's Top Women in Media list. She and her co-pilot of 30 years, transgender journalist Jacob Anderson-Minshall penned several books including Queerly Beloved: A Love Across Genders.
Diane Anderson-Minshall is the CEO of Pride Media, and editorial director of The Advocate, Out, and Plus magazine. She's the winner of numerous awards from GLAAD, the NLGJA, WPA, and was named to Folio's Top Women in Media list. She and her co-pilot of 30 years, transgender journalist Jacob Anderson-Minshall penned several books including Queerly Beloved: A Love Across Genders.