Memorial Ball held in Seattle for O’Shae Sibley, Who Was Tragically Murdered in New York
On Friday, Seattle's Ballroom Dance community came together for a Memorial Ball at the 76 gas station in the Capitol Hill neighborhood to celebrate the life of O'Shae Sibley, a 28 year old Ballroom dancer who was murdered at a gas station in Brooklyn, New York last week and to raise awareness around the national issue of hate against the queer and trans communities.
“His death was an impact to not just us, but the entire country,” Ballroom Dancer & Organizer Julian Everett said. “You can’t even go out to a gas station to get a snack, and you’re in danger of getting killed because of who you are and the style of dance you do, it’s a real tough time to be Black and Queer in America.”
Sibley was stabbed by a 17 year old teen and his murder is being investigated as a hate crime. Seattle joined several other cities nationally that have held balls to uplift Sibley's memory.
“O’Shae was someone I actually knew personally,” Deaunte Damper said. “He worked with youth at the Youth Empowerment program in Philladelpia. This is a nationwide conversation on advocacy for our community members.
You can see more in the video and check out photos below by Seattle photographer Jordan Somers on behalf of Converge Media
