Sumaya Dalmar
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Sumaya Dalmar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1988 or 1989 Somalia |
| Died | (aged 26) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Other names | Sumaya YSL |
| Occupations | Activist, model |
Sumaya Dasia Dalmar, also known as Sumaya YSL,[1] was a Somali-Canadian transgender activist[2] and model. Dalmar was one of the earliest Somalis to come out as transgender and LGBT as a whole.
Dalmar was born in Mogadishu, Somalia and left during the outbreak of the Somali Civil War at the age of three.[3][4] Her family moved to Vancouver, Canada.[5] She was Muslim and transgender, and faced transphobia, Islamophobia, and racism.[5] She moved to Toronto, Canada, in 2009 to transition.[4][5] Dalmar's biological parents disowned her when she came out as trans to them in 2011.[6]
Later life
In 2012, Dalmar was the primary actor for a play and documentary by Abdi Osman, called Labeeb, "an intimate portrait of Sumaya, a Somali trans-woman".[2][3][7][8] It explored gender, sexuality, and religiosity in the Somali community.[9][10] One video shows her performing a Somali ritual designated for women preparing for special occasions, and another film shows her during daily moments. The exhibit also included photographs of Dalmar in candid moments and in the studio.[7]
By 2014, Dalmar had become qualified as a speech therapist.[10] She worked at Banu, a restaurant in Queen Street West, Toronto.[11] She was also a model and adult-film actress.[10] Dalmar was scheduled to begin employment at an LGBT community center called The 519 the day after she died.[12] She was going to work in their education and training department.[13]
Dalmar was well-known in the Somali and LGBTQ communities of Toronto.[9][14] She attended a program at the Supporting Our Youth LGBTQ organization and became a key part of Black Queer Youth, one of their support groups.[12][15] One commentator praised the degree of visibility she has given the trans community.[14]