Unusually high winds resulted in the sudden and devastating collapse of concert stage Saturday at the Indiana State Fair. Among the five individuals killed in the tragic accident was Christina Santiago, program manager for the Lesbian Community Care Project (LCCP) at the Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC).
In response to Santiago’s passing, colleagues and friends at the HBHC released a statement in honor of her contributions and accomplishments for the LGBT community and the field of women’s health.
“The sudden and devastating loss of Christina has left the entire community, including her Howard Brown Health Center family, heartbroken,” said HBHC President and CEO Jamal M. Edwards. Edwards went on to note Santiago’s tireless and extraordinary efforts on behalf of lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer women in the community, and to express his care and condolences to Santiago’s partner Alisha Brennon, “a dear friend of HBHC” who was seriously injured in Saturday’s accident.
Edwards explained that Santiago “has been a leading and driving force in the expansion of our women’s health services division and a powerful advocate for all LGBT women.” Throughout her career at HBHC, Christina Santiago received multiple honors and awards ranging from outstanding employee recognitions to the organization’s 2012 Spirit Award.
“Her passion and leadership for caring for others will be deeply missed,” Edwards concluded. “Her star is irreplaceable both at HBHC and in the community.”
HBHC and Amigas Latinas held a vigil for Christina Santiago on Sunday evening, and HBHC administrators are discussing the development of a memorial fund to honor Santiago’s memory and facilitate the continuation of her work for LGBT women.
Update: After tragic accident, Indiana laws bar lesbian woman’s partner from claiming her body
In the wake of Christina Santiago’s tragic death, Bilerico now reports that the Marion County coroner’s office has refused to grant her partner, Alisha Brennon, the right to claim Santiago’s body as a legally-recognized spouse or next of kin.
Bilerico reported Tuesday that the coroner’s purported decision is defensible under Indiana state law, which includes a state-specific version of DOMA outlawing same-sex marriage.
After repeatedly denying requests for comment on the matter and stating only that Santiago’s body had not yet been claimed, the Marion County coroner’s office released a statement in which spokesperson Alfarena Ballew explained that Santiago’s aunt and another friend “are working together with the life partner to take care of the remains.”
“We have nothing in writing from the partner asking to claim the body,” Ballew said, adding that the office records show Santiago’s aunt as being next of kin.
Ballew went on to describe the controversy surrounding Brennon’s ability to claim her partner’s remains as “a misunderstanding.” According to her statement, Santiago’s body is due to be released shortly.
