We Love You, Emi Koyama

Written By Savannah Sly

Emi was a titan among advocates, a protector of communities, our teacher and friend.

There's a saying in social justice movements that goes something like, "nobody knows everything, but together we know a lot." This saying has applied to pretty much everyone and everything I’ve encountered in social justice spaces, except Emi Koyama. Emi seemed to know everything there was to know about intersectional feminism. When she spoke, I listened.

Emi was a brilliant thinker and movement strategist who shaped the worldviews, language, and community-building approaches of sex workers like me who fancied ourselves activists. Through her zines, homemade buttons, publications on eminism.org, and countless speaking engagements, the world gained a deeper understanding of myriad weighty, sometimes controversial topics. Emi was direct in her criticism of the anti-trafficking industrial complex (which is how we met, in Seattle), clear-eyed in her dedication to harm reduction, and vocal about disability justice and the important role of service animals. Emi was particularly influential in uplifting the visibility and human rights of intersex and transgender people, and resonated with queer activist and scholastic audiences with her Transfeminist Manifesto. Deceptively meek in demeanor, Emi was a formidable champion for people whose lives and experiences don't fit neatly into boxes, and for whom thoughtful nuance in policymaking and direct service provision is crucial.

We are in the process of finding the credit for this wonderful piece of art featuring Emi. If you are the artist, please reach out.

Emi was more than our leader.

In early 2026 I got the first group email from Emi stating that she had cancer. My heart sank heavy upon reading this news, sensing reluctantly that Emi may depart sooner rather than later. Emi had been a major influence on my thinking around community organizing and policy advocacy. Her patient, quiet critique of my actions and presence helped me take up space appropriately, and grow into my authority as an advocate with some semblance of humility. Many lessons I learned from Emi informed the foundation of New Moon Network, and our success is a testament to her influence. As I processed the pain of knowing that one of our greatest leaders would be leaving us someday soon, I had to also recognize Emi as a beautiful creative, a playful and gentle being deeply bonded to animals, and a beloved friend to many, most importantly to those society most often turns it’s back on. Emi was more than our leader, she was one of us and our friend.

When once asking Emi why she was so passionate about sex workers’ rights, said simply and quietly, “I love sex workers.” Emi’s fierce commitment was one of love. This simple statement reminded me that my own advocacy is fueled by love, which I often confused for anger. Emi was no pushover, and would express her own outrage at people who were extractive, dismissive, or cruel to sex workers. Seeing Emi in action was awesome. Her bravery was contrasted by the quiet, nearly timid tone that she would inhabit at most other times when in public. I saw on numerous occasions how supportive Emi was of other advocates who were clearly struggling with something. I loved Emi for how she encouraged and listened to other sex worker advocates who were unsure of themselves. Emi was a true treasure.

Near to her final days, Emi mused openly whether people loved her for her advocacy or if they loved her just as a person. I attempted to respond to Emi with assurances that we adored her for her silly humor, her simple hospitality, her wit and kindness, her great sense of style. Yet I grappled with the truth that I still have much to learn and unlearn about forging authentic relationships within intersectional movement spaces. This is the last lesson Emi has left me, to process what it means to love someone who you hold in such strong regard. To love Emi is to love not what she did but who she was. Emi was lovable to me in these many ways:

I love Emi for her amazing laugh.
I love Emi for letting us say hi to her little dogs Adrie and Kitty.
I love Emi for bringing Almond Roca to the coalition meetings.
I love Emi for her wry sense of humor.
I love Emi for rolling her eyes at particularly dumb public speakers.
I love Emi for being so nice to my friend when they were having a meltdown.
I love Emi for sharing her favorite riot grrl bands with me.
I love Emi for bringing so much humor to the plight of the pandemic, of all things.
I love Emi for surviving.
I love Emi for a poem that she wrote for Mirror Memoirs shortly before she died. It’s a beautiful, simple and personal poem that, if I get permission to post it here someday, will probably make you cry. Then, you might also shake with rage.

Emi Koyama, we will never fill your shoes, but that’s ok because you’ve helped us find our own shoes and learn how to kick ass in them. We miss you tremendously, and we will never forget you. You will always be with us, we will carry you with us as we move forward together.


Savannah Sly
Next

Bringing Common Cause to NOW.