this weekend in Newark marked a significant one for folks in the lgbtq community a portion of Hy Street was named after Sakia gun a black lesbian 15-year-old who was brutally stabbed to death on the streets of Newark simply because of who she was while Saturday friends and loved ones of Sakia celebrated the moment that her name and memory were memorialized forever Jenna Flanigan host of PBS's Metro Focus was there for us and has more on the importance of this moment I'm here in downtown Newark on the corner of Hy and Academy streets for the street naming ceremony for the late Sakia gun now Sakia gun was a 15-year-old out and proud lesbian who was unfortunately stabbed to death on the corner of Broad and Market 20 years ago and it is today that the city and the county are finally recognizing her with a section of Hy Street dedicated in her name 1 2 3 it was an unusually hot and sunny day in late October but according to sakya's Mother Latona gun it's because her daughter was beaming down on everyone my baby smiling everybody on a sunny day trust me this sunny day is cuz of her cuz he know what the world is doing for well not the world but everyone you see here is doing for her right now sakya's death also became a flash point for New York's lgbtq Q Community stating that it would no longer live in the shadows and be shunned by Society a portion of Hy street that intersects with Academy is now Sakia gun way a decision that newark's city council president L Monica MacGyver says was chosen intentionally having it here on the same street where our Center is for folks who are visiting our center for the community here to walk past and see Sakia gunsway right here with the prize Center sits was very important and we strategically did it that way way while Sea's murder took place on the corner of Broad and Market that intersection was already named for the late Kenneth Gibson newark's first black mayor speaking at the podium best friend Valencia Bailey who held Sakia in her arms as she died began to break down as she recognized the true significance of the day with this on her name her name was ever be on this Earth is everyone's going to know who she is whether it's by accident or purpose by force you're going to you're going to see her name now we got the sign you get to see her name and liks when the sun comes up you get to see her name and the lights when the Moon Rises everyone who who walks by rides by sheit go Google Maps looking for something going to see her name that's right y'all going to see s gun's name I'm never going to let you die cuz I'm never w't let you go mayor RZ Baraka who lost his own openly gay sister shaie Baraka alongside her partner in a domestic dispute just a few months after Sakia says the street sign is important but education about lgbtq people in Newark like Sakia and Shaunie are key at the end of the day we just have to do a better job explaining to our young people the history of the things that goes on in our city mayor Baraka says he wants the rest of the country to know that New York New jersey is an open and inclusive City for all as the ceremony Drew to a close Reverend Kevin Taylor North Jersey community research initiative director of lgbtq services including nearby project wow a safe space for the city's queer youth gave the benediction encouraging everyone to lift up sakya's name maybe one day we're on a Sakia gun day maybe today we'll walk down Sakia gun way maybe one day will all be bold enough to be Sakia gun gang stand up for yourself stand up in your life Sakia gun say her name say her name say her name s gun s gun s gun in Newark I'm Jenna Flanagan for NJ Spotlight news