Fifteen and Fearless: The Murder of Sakia Gunn

In May 2003, fifteen-year-old Sakia Gunn, a Black lesbian girl from Newark, was murdered in an act of homophobic violence that most of the nation never heard about. This true crime episode centers her humanity, her courage, and the community that refused to let her story disappear. In this victim-centered true crime episode, we explore: • Newark's queer youth culture in the early 2000s • Who Sakia was before the violence • The events of that night and the immediate aftermath • The media's lack of coverage • The community response and marches • How Sakia's death shaped visibility, advocacy, and safety for Black LGBTQ youth New episodes of Beyond the Table release every Tuesday. Follow the show on Instagram: @BeyondTableShow Email: [email protected] Resources Out In New Jersey — "Remembering Sakia Gunn" The Murder of Sakia Gunn and LGBT Anti-Violence Mobilization NBC News — "Man pleads guilty in teen lesbian's slaying" Queer Newark Oral History Project — Rutgers University Written and produced by Amanda Clemons © 2025 Beyond the Table. All rights reserved