HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. — Grooby performer Kayla Moon passed away last week. She was 34.
According to a report from Fox News Detroit, Moon was found shot to death in a Highland Park hotel on June 1. No suspects have been arrested at this time.
"This no longer comes as a surprise," said Grooby CEO Steven Grooby. "While it's still shocking to us, the rate of trans people being murdered by violence, and especially trans women of color, continues to increase. Our performers, Chastity Cheeks and Kandii Redd, were both murdered in the last 12 months and the amount of anti-trans rhetoric, anti-trans laws and the viciousness of the media have to take responsibility for this.
"How can we be surprised that trans deaths by violence are increasing when there are people in our own industry, which in 2023 is meant to be inclusive and accepting, who still are allowed to preach their transphobic views on industry boards, or deny that there is a problem, and instead choose to blame it on the victim," he continued. "We're sick of it. These are people being killed. They have lives, friends and family and they are targeted because not enough people are standing up for what is right, and calling out bigotry when they see it. If you are transphobic, homophobic, racist or misogynist, then there is no place in this industry for you."
Moon was first featured by Grooby in 2012, and has since performed for several of the studio's paysites.
"I saw Kayla a little less than a month ago, and I am devastated to hear about her passing," said Grooby producer KilaKali. "She was a great model and an even better friend. We were very close and I am going to miss her, from the late-night video chats to just overall hanging out in person."
Grooby will be paying tribute to Moon on its site Black-Tgirls, offering members a chance to donate to charity in her memory.
XBIZ will continue updating this report as more information becomes available.
