In Loving Memory of Ymania Brown

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Broden Giambrone Announcement, Board

A sepia photo of a smiling Ymania Brown taken in recent years. She is covered in illustrated leaves. Red flowers spring up from the bush and yellow butterflies fly around her. The background is a pale pink. The text reads "In loving memory of Ymania Brown"

ITF is deeply saddened by the passing of our former Co-Chair, Tuisina Ymania Brown. Ymania was a colleague, a friend, and a tireless community activist. A proud fa’afafine, trans woman from Samoa, she was a devoted single mother to two sons and a grandparent. She was an incredible force for global LGBTI movements and an advocate for transfeminist justice who worked at the intersection of trans, indigenous, spiritual, climate justice and human rights. Ymania was deeply cherished by countless friends and colleagues, who drew inspiration from her courage, her passion, and her fearless commitment to speaking the truth.

Ymania’s varied life experiences fueled her activism. After two decades practicing corporate law in Australia, she shifted paths and used her expertise to become a global human rights advocate. Over the next twenty years, she led international NGOs and advanced work on LGBTIQ rights, Indigenous justice, interfaith dialogue, environmental protection, and economic equity. Ymania was instrumental in campaigns urging the Samoan government to recognize adoption by LGBT individuals and to repeal laws criminalizing ‘impersonation of a woman.’ She championed economic empowerment and pressed Australia to include LGBT rights as a core part of its foreign policy. As a survivor of gender-based and anti-trans violence, abuse, and racial profiling, Ymania transformed her own experiences into powerful advocacy, bringing urgency and authenticity to every space she entered.

A quote by ITF Executive Director Broden Giambrone reads "We were utterly devastated to learn of Ymania’s passing. As a former Co-Chair of the ITF, Ymania was not just a leader but a driving force, fiercely committed to ensuring that trans communities worldwide not only survive but thrive. She brought a powerful and necessary voice to the global stage, speaking from the intersections of trans justice, Indigenous knowledge, spirituality, climate justice, and human rights. We not only mourn the loss of a great leader but also a role model and friend whose vision, courage, and humor is needed now more than ever."

At the time of her passing Ymania was serving as the Executive Director of TGEU and the Co-President of Inter-pride. She was also the former Co-Chair of ITF, Co-Secretary General of ILGA world, Advisory Board member at Astraea, Co-Chair of the Global Interfaith Network on SOGI, and Advisor to World Pride Copenhagen in 2021.

Ymania was deeply rooted in her First Nations Samoan identity, serving as a matai across four districts. She carried this grounding into her vision for a decentralized, global trans movement built on intersectional solidarity and collective power. ITF is profoundly grateful for her presence, her leadership, and her unwavering commitment to making the world safer, freer, and more just for trans people and all those facing oppression.Her loss is felt across movements and continents, but as she joins our pantheon of transcestors, her legacy will continue to guide and inspire us.

 

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