Black Queer Trans Activist
While still residing in Richmond, she is a revolutionary...a mover and a shaker, creating waves of justice for her communities. She has a voice to be heard, a mind to be spoken and a vision to be shared. Higgs’s journey thus far has been a challenging yet exhilarating trek. While climbing a metaphorical mountain range she can see the promising horizon line of aspirations in the distance. At 30 years old, she wholeheartedly is able to identify with herself, more than many are willing in their lifetime and has the ability to share not just her own but other people’s reflections with the world. Her strength to do so comes from sacrifice, pride and a love for others.
Advocacy is critical in making change. We must recognize the defaults in our society, the oppressions we have created, and generate an impact. This is a hard position to fill, as there are so many risks you must be willing to take. It’s vulnerable, you are exposed and it comes with a variety of pressures. So how does one create that change; making that, ‘smooth as glass’ silent, undisturbed water form into ripples, generating a wake of being woke? It’s not easy to advocate for change, be a communicator and a leader. It’s only possible with the support of others, a community. There is nothing without that.
With her social media handle being, @aurorawhoisshe, it is only appropriate we ask, Aurora...who IS she?. She is a powerful, strong and beautiful black trans woman, who challenges both society and herself. She represents HER, to the fullest extent, her family, her town, her roots...her pride. She speaks for the LBGTQ community, the black community and for all minorities. She is a powerful voice for so many. This simple statement, “Who is she” means so much, as it reflects a variety of moments in her life, how she identifies with herself and the world and what black trans women go through. Historically it brings reference to how black thought and presence has been undermined in America and continues to be so. Black, queer and trans voices need to be heard, not oppressed. We need these voices now more so than ever. LGBTQ community leaders and activists across the nation are risking their own lives daily. By being a public figure and an advocate in the fight for racial equality, Higgs is constantly putting her own safety at risk.
With the ongoing systematic violence in our culture, Higgs contributes by bringing peace and solidarity while focusing on justice. The moment she started honestly asking herself this question, “Who IS she,” a new force emerged, a powerful figure.
In 2013 Higgs started to experiment with her gender identity and was a drag performer. Although she loved this, it wasn’t totally fulfilling. Confidence started to emerge and she was willing and ready to empower herself, to make actions with intention. It gave her the knowingness and awareness that she can be who she wanted to be, that she could be herself. In 2018, Higgs started her gender transition medically.  @aurorawhoisshe / Instagram
When Higgs came out as trans gender she had a lot of support from her community. Richmond is a cultural epicenter, making it a hub for creative, innovative and visionary thinkers. As Higgs says, Richmond has an “Edgy undercurrent artistic vibe.” It’s been a gift for her, as she explained she has had a lot of support in both her own personal transformation and all that she advocates for. Being a big city with a small-town feel, people are connected. There is a strong LBGTQ community, lending to an abundance of support. When remarking about Richmond, Higgs says it’s, “A community that was nurturing and compassionate from the very beginning, and a lot of people in my place didn’t get that. That’s my form of a silver spoon. We didn’t have money but I had a surplus of care.” Richmond has been a positive space for her in many ways. On the other hand, Richmond was the capital of the confederacy during the Civil War. Being such an old town, and still being ran primarily by generations of inherent white wealth, there is unfortunately an abundance of racial inequality lending to a lot of economic disadvantages for people of color. Richmond's demographic is more than 50% black, which is a high representation compared to most cities but there there isn’t equal opportunity. There is a monopoly of a small sector of people who hold a high amount of authority. Much of the political unjust is kept on the surface, as the demeanor of Richmond is very polite. Higgs has had many hardships in the adversity of her identity, as she has been undermined countless times. She has taken it upon herself to advocate and fight for change. Most people don’t feel comfortable talking about racial, gander and sexual orientation biases. Being a black trans woman and a voice in a variety of spaces, she is constantly being challenged and put down by the inequalities of our culture.
Higgs is always trying to find a balance of living her life, and enjoying it while also advocating for so many different groups of people. She is constantly honoring and supporting her own values to bring justice for others. This balance is hard, as advocacy is time consuming, stressful and most of the work, you don’t get paid. She is always juggling the many aspects of her life. Currently she is a PhD student, and works at Virginia Commonwealth University. She does public speaking, consultations, diversity and inclusion facilitation and as much as she feels safe, she is out on the streets. Back in June, she was a prominent figure and speaker at the, ‘Say her name rally’, remembering Breonna Taylor and in the movement of Black Lives Matter. She is an artist; a Burlesque and Cabaret dancer and in her free time, she is on the Board for Virginia League of Planned Parenthood but most importantly, is a human being!  @aurorawhoisshe / Instagram Her compassionate drive and bold actions are giving help and hope to so many people. She is a champion in protecting her communities. Along with other advocates, her mentors and grassroots organizations, she is part of a larger movement. Moxxi had the pleasure to sit down and speak with Aurora Higgs and get to know more about the Fearless Female behind all of who she is and what she does. Please take a moment, as we all question, Aurora...who IS she? Might we also add that she is such a joy to speak with, a professional and a true representation of all she fights for. Q: What was your upbringing like?
She said her parents were really big on education, authenticity, and just doing what’s right, being honest people. From a young age she and her sisters were taught strong morals.
 Tiffany Michele Images Her mom reminds her of a kindergarten teacher who is also very edgy, she is friends with everyone the moment she meets them. As for her dad, she says,
His infectious laugh resonates with everyone and holds the strongest presence in every room he enters.
Q: How do you deal with all the pressures?
Black trans women have a magnitude of pressures. Higgs just wants to be heard as a person, and be respected for who she is and what she can bring to the table, not how her image may benefit someone. Thankfully, she is not in this alone. She is lifted up by the power of others. The support that she receives from her community and the work of other trans women inspires her.
If you’re doing authentic work it helps a lot. It doesn’t eliminate the burnout. Q: What is the Richmond community like?
Q: What would you like to see different for activists?
 Photo by @crixellmatthew Q: What would you like to see different for the LGBTQ community?
Q: What is one of the biggest challenges the black trans community faces?
Q: What are some of your hopes for the future?
 Tiffany Michele Images I would love to see people do research on what trans people do WELL, not just how we’re negatively impacted or traumatized. She went on to talk a bit about her current studies.. Higgs poses the question, “How are we maternal figures for our own community?” Trans women play such a nurturing role for many, and mentorship too.\
Higgs wants to see laws that specifically uplift trans women.
Q: What’s next for you?
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