Stonewall Veteran Miss Major Griffin-Gracy Enters Hospice Care, Surrounded by Love

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a foundational figure in the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, is now receiving hospice care at home following a recent hospitalization for sepsis and a blood clot . The news was shared by her partner, Beck Witt Major, who wrote on Facebook that Miss Major was taken home on Saturday, October 4, 2025, and is “comfortable and surrounded by love” . The announcement has prompted an outpouring of support from LGBTQ+ communities and allies worldwide, reflecting her enduring influence and the deep respect she commands.

Miss Major, a Black genderqueer transgender woman, has dedicated more than 50 years to activism, with a particular focus on the rights and dignity of transgender women of color, especially those who are incarcerated . Her advocacy began in earnest during the 1969 Stonewall Riots, a watershed moment for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States, where she was a visible and vocal participant . Over the decades, she has worked with numerous HIV and AIDS prevention organizations, addressing the crisis at its peak in the 1980s, and became the first executive director of the Transgender Gender-Variant & Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP), advocating for transgender people detained by police until her retirement in 2015 .

In the 2000s, Miss Major co-founded the House of GG (also known as The Oasis) in Arkansas, a center dedicated to healing and empowerment for transgender people affected by transphobia, racism, poverty, ableism, and violence . Her work has consistently centered the most marginalized, emphasizing community support, resilience, and direct action.

Miss Major’s health has been a concern in recent years. She suffered a stroke in 2019, shortly after co-founding the House of GG, and has since required ongoing medical care . Earlier this year, she was hospitalized and later disclosed that she needed 24-hour nursing support . The current hospitalization for sepsis and a blood clot led to the transition to hospice care, a decision made with the aim of ensuring her comfort in familiar surroundings .

Her partner has asked for prayers and support, and a crowdfunding campaign remains active to help cover her medical expenses . The community response has been swift and heartfelt, with many expressing gratitude for her decades of leadership and vowing to continue her legacy of advocacy.

Miss Major’s influence extends far beyond her direct activism. She has been a mentor, storyteller, and symbol of resistance for generations of LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender women of color who face intersecting forms of discrimination . Her speeches and public appearances—including serving as grand marshal of New York City Pride and addressing the LGBTQ+ Caucus at the Democratic National Convention—have inspired countless individuals to fight for equality and justice .

Even amid health challenges, Miss Major remained politically engaged. In a November 2024 Instagram post reacting to Donald Trump’s presidential victory, she urged the community to prepare for continued struggle: “We got to prepare ourselves to fight for our lives. We must hold on to our beliefs, hold on to our wishes and our wants and our desires. We got to find a way around this stuff and get through the next four years. I don’t know how we’re going to do it, but we’re a tough bunch of b****es” .

As news of Miss Major’s condition spread, tributes poured in from activists, organizations, and public figures, highlighting her role as a living bridge between the Stonewall era and contemporary LGBTQ+ movements. Her story underscores the importance of intergenerational solidarity and the ongoing need to center the voices of those most affected by systemic oppression.

The House of GG and allied organizations continue to provide resources and support for transgender communities, ensuring that Miss Major’s vision of healing and empowerment endures. Meanwhile, her partner and close friends emphasize that, while her physical presence may be limited, her spirit and influence remain a guiding force for the movement she helped shape .

Miss Major Griffin-Gracy’s move to hospice care marks a poignant moment for the LGBTQ+ community, one that invites reflection on her monumental contributions and the work that remains. Her life’s work—rooted in compassion, courage, and an unyielding commitment to justice—offers a blueprint for activism that is both fiercely confrontational and deeply loving. As she is cared for at home, surrounded by love, the community she inspired stands ready to honor her legacy by continuing the fight for a more just and inclusive world.