Chicago gay activist Christian Santiago
was among the 5 people killed on Saturday as a result of a stage
collapse at the Indiana State Fair, ChicagoPride.com
reported.
An additional 40 people were also
injured when the main stage where the Sugarland band was preparing to
perform collapsed. Police said a severe gust of wind was to blame.
Santiago's partner Alisha Marie Brennon
was among the critically injured in the accident.
The 29-year-old Santiago headed the
Lesbian Community Care Project at Chicago's Howard Brown Health
Center.
“The sudden and devastating loss of
Christina has left the entire community, including her Howard Brown
Health Center family, heartbroken,” said Howard Brown President
Jamal M. Edwards in a statement.
“She has been a leading and driving
force in the expansion of our women's health services division and a
powerful advocate for all LGBT women,” Edwards added.
Howard Brown and the gay rights group
Amigas Latinas, of which Santiago was a board member, have scheduled
a Monday vigil in memory of Santiago to be held at Howard Brown's
outdoor garden in downtown Chicago at 5PM.