Victoria Cruz, Stonewall Veteran and Trans Advocate, Dies at 79

Victoria Cruz, a matriarch of New York’s transgender community and a participant in the 1969 Stonewall Inn police raid, died on June 25, 2026 in a Manhattan hospital at age 79. Her partner, Charles Wright, confirmed that liver cancer was the cause of death.

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Cruz was present at the Stonewall Inn when a police raid ignited spontaneous protests that evolved into the gay liberation movement. The event is widely recognized as the catalyst for organized LGBTQ rights activism. Cruz’s early involvement linked her to the foundational moment of the movement, providing a historical anchor for her later work.

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For 17 years Cruz served the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP), an organization that offers counseling and other services to LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of violence. While her official portfolio centered on domestic abuse, she routinely addressed intersecting threats such as housing discrimination and workplace harassment. Colleagues noted that she helped shape outreach that connected trans survivors with legal assistance, housing resources, and mental-health counseling, reflecting her deep understanding of the multiple layers of oppression faced by trans New Yorkers.

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• Victoria Cruz – Stonewall participant, AVP staff member, and trusted community advocate.

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• Charles Wright – Partner, who publicly confirmed Cruz’s death.

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• Catherine Shugrue-Dos Santos – Former deputy executive director of AVP, who highlighted Cruz’s unique role within the community.

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• Age at death: 79 years.

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• Date of death: June 25, 2026.

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• Length of service at AVP: 17 years.

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• Cause of death: liver cancer.

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Cruz’s career bridged the early Stonewall era and contemporary anti-violence advocacy, making her a generational link between historic activism and modern support services. Her reputation for confidentiality—clients often requested “Miss Vicky” without providing names—underscored the depth of trust she cultivated. Community members credit her with creating a safe space for trans New Yorkers navigating housing insecurity, workplace bias, and domestic violence, thereby reinforcing the essential role of trusted advocates in combating anti-trans violence.

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Charles Wright, speaking from the hospital, confirmed Cruz’s passing and identified liver cancer as the underlying illness. The New York City Anti-Violence Project issued a statement noting her “decades-long dedication to protecting and empowering trans survivors of violence” and emphasized that her insights had informed staff training and policy development. The organization announced plans to honor her contributions at an upcoming memorial service.

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> “They wouldn’t give their names; they wouldn’t talk to anybody else. She really had the trust of the community.” — Catherine Shugrue-Dos Santos, former deputy executive director, AVP

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AVP intends to hold a memorial service in June, inviting community members to share stories and celebrate Cruz’s lifelong commitment to trans safety and empowerment. The event will serve both as a tribute and as an opportunity to reaffirm the organization’s mission in the wake of her passing.

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