FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2017
Contact: Monica Roberts BTWI Media Chair
Carmarion Anderson BTWI Founding President
855-255-8636 Ext 11
media@blacktranswomen.org
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Black Transwomen, Inc is saddened to hear the news that we have lost another sister to anti-trans violence. On Tuesday morning 24 year old Keke Collier was found lying in the street in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood suffering from three gunshot wounds she would subsequently succumb from.
BTWI expresses our condolences to Collier's family and all who loved her for her untimely death
Collier is unfortunately the fourth trans person we have lost to anti trans violence in the United States, and the second this month. Collier becomes the third African American trans person after 41 year old Mesha Caldwell in Canton, Mississippi and 23 year old Jo Jo Striker in Toledo, Ohio to die this year.
The fourth person we have lost in 2017 to anti-trans violence was 28 year old Native American Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow or Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
BTWI laments the loss of all these women, and are particularly upset and angered about the three women under the age of 30. These women were taken from us before they had a chance to explore the full potential of their lives.
BTWI Board Chair Dee Dee Watters is asking that we have a national moment of silence starting at 9:00 PM CST for five minutes for Keke and all the trans women we have lost in 2017.
BTWI's motto is that Every Voice Matters, and these women's voices were stilled before they had the opportunity to find their voices in society. We're here to ensure that trans women survive, thrive and become the best persons they can be. BTWI also exists to send the unmistakable message that our Black Trans Lives Matter.
BTWI hopes and prays that the perpetrator of this crime is swiftly caught and justice is served in this case. We urge those of you who may have information that could possibly help expeditiously solve the Collier case to call the Chicago Police Department.
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Black Transwomen, Inc is a national not for profit organization based in Dallas TX that is part of the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, a social justice alliance of the Black Transmen Inc, Black Transwomen Inc & Black Trans International Pageantry System organizations. BTA is committed to the advancement of black and trans people and the liberation of all disenfranchised people by working collaboratively to help end race and gender inequalities
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