In Loving Memory of Eliot-Ezra

Eliot (who also went by the name of Ezra) was truly one of a kind. He was a down to earth, accepting, and unapologetically authentic person. He was a loyal friend, and a dedicated advocate for underserved communities near and far. The love he spread in the community during his life will be felt for years to come.

 

The little things mattered to Eliot. Having simple picnics with loved ones in the heat of the Illinois summer. Dancing to loud music surrounded by kind smiling faces during the June Pride events in Downtown Bloomington. The loud purr of his cat that he proudly helped to rescue from an animal shelter. He also had a fervent passion for sustainability and for local, organic food. You could always catch him invested in long conversations with friends, workers, and friendly customers at Green Top Grocery. The co-op was one of his absolute favorite places to be, especially when they hosted live outdoor concerts.

 

Eliot considered himself to be neurodiverse and was sure proud of it! He loved posting Autism acceptance tips and stories written by other Autistic individuals on social media to promote during the month of April when autism acceptance is widely celebrated. Although he described experiencing many challenges as someone who belonged to the disability community, he always mustered up strength to meet the next day with clear eyes. I will always remember his incredible fighting spirit.

 

Eliot also belonged to the trans community. It was wonderful to see the joy spread across his face as he grew more and more comfortable sharing his truth and identity with friends and loved ones. Sharing this inspiration with other queer folks would have him overjoyed for weeks, and he always promoted local LGBTQ+ organizations so that other people could receive the support, resources, and acknowledgement they deserved too.

 

It was an honor to call Eliot one of my close friends during the last handful of years. I will miss him dearly and I know many others will too.

 

In Eliot’s name, I am collecting financial donations that will be given to both Prairie Pride Coalition of Illinois and The Gender Expansive Resource Center of Central Illinois. They both strive to foster equality and access for queer and diverse individuals in the community in a variety of ways. These two organizations were very dear to his heart, and I know he would want to bless the people they serve however he could.

 

Thank you for your contribution and for helping to keep Eliot’s memory alive in the community.

 

Image of Eliot/Ezra smiling in the spring time in Illinois. He is wearing a dark blue top, sitting in front of bright green trees and a light blue sky with clouds.

Links to the organization’s pages:

 

Prairie Pride Coalition of Illinois - https://ppc-il.org/main/

 

The Gender Expansive Resource Center of Central IL - https://genderexpansiveresourcecenter.org/