A special Veteran tribute to Avalisa Ellicot:

Black Trans Lives Matter

Born in New Orleans and raised in Hawaii, Avalisa Ellicott has lived an eventful life. After high school and an unsuccessful year in college, she joined the United States Air Force. Though she successfully completed her training as a C-130 Loadmaster and proved herself capable of doing the job, she was constantly faced with her chain of command fighting to kick her out under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. While she still presented as male at the time, she gradually stopped following the rules of male gender expression outside of uniform. A tragic incident resulted in her being medically retired from the military.

After returning to civilian status, she decided to be truthful to herself and in 2010, she transitioned. In a world where there is limited understanding, Avalisa took it upon herself to help educate others. She felt representation was missing for Black Trans Women and started a YouTube channel to share her experiences. After gaining the attention of viewers, she was invited to join a collaborative channel called the Trans Youth Channel. It was comprised of trans men, women, and people with gender diverse identities and aimed to help trans youth and their families with their transitions. She unintentionally became an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, specifically an advocate for Trans Rights.

Avalisa was extremely active in the LGBTQIA+ community in Austin Texas. She received requests to speak and educate not only around the area, but eventually around the country. After moving to Nebraska in 2017, she was invited to sit on the Omaha Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board and was dedicated to making change within the community. Avalisa decided to return to college and received her bachelor’s degree from University of Nebraska at Omaha in Marketing in 2020. She works with Speaking of Happy and Eli Rigatuso to educate organizations on diversity and how to truly be inclusive of trans people. She has gained visibility from years of modeling, acting, and public speaking and uses that visibility to highlight the needs of those with less privilege. She currently serves as the Vice President of Transgender American Veterans Association.

Austin Pride Fashion Show

Austin, TX

“I’ve known Avalisa for years, back in the good ole Austin TX Days. and she has always been the most kindest realist individual I known and standing in her truth. No matter the distance, she always carries a special place in my heart” _Coach Tyriek