Amber Guyger Guilty!

To be honest, I didn't think I would be writing these words in relation to that case, but that's what happened.  A cop who killed an unarmed Black person in their own home finally will be held accountable for it.

And the coolest part of this whole story is it happened in my home state.

The white women's tears she cried on the witness stand didn't work, as the jury made of of 5 Black peeps, 5 Latinx peeps and 2 whites returned a unanimous verdict convicting her of entering 26 year old Botham Jean's Dallas apartment on September 6, 2018 and killing him.

Can't do the happy dance just yet.  Trial is still in the punishment phase, and the racist texts the former Dallas PD officer unleashed have come out     She is facing 5-99 years in a TDC cell, so to me justice won't be truly served unless she's doing as close to 99 years as possible.

We'll find out soon how much time she got.

But the people I feel for are the Jean family, who have lost someone they can never get back 


TransGriot Update:   And how much time did she get?  10 effing years?   Really?  People, and especially POC's have gotten more time for selling drugs or robbing a bank.

Final List Of 2018 Trans Murders

It was probably the bloodiest year ever for Black trans and gender non conforming people in the US, who sadly are far and away the most likely trans people to die, followed by our trans Latina sisters.

We lost 19 Black trans people in 2018.   The youngest was just 18, the oldest at age 58

2018 US Trans Murders

Christa Lee Steele-Knudslien, 47, North Adams, MA
Vickky Gutierrez, 38, Los Angeles, CA
Zakaria Fry, 28,  Albuquerque, NM
Celine Walker, 38,  Jacksonville, FL
Tonya Harvey, 35, Buffalo, NY

Phylicia Mitchell, 45, Cleveland, OH
Amia Tyrae Berryman, 28, Baton Rouge, LA
Sasha Wall, 29, Chesterfield County, SC  
Carla Patricia Flores-Pavon, 26, Dallas, TX
Nino Fortson, 36, Atlanta, GA
Gigi Pierce, 28,  Portland, OR
Antasha English, 38, Jacksonville, FL
Diamond Stephens, 39, Meridian, MS

Catalina Christina James, 24, Jacksonville, FL
Keisha James, 58, Cleveland, OH
Sasha Garden, 27, Orlando, FL
Vontashia Bell, 18, Shreveport, LA
Dejanay Stanton, 24, Chicago, IL
Shantee Tucker, 30, Philadelphia, PA
Londonn Moore Kinard, 20, North Port, FL
Nikki Janelle Enriquez, 28, Laredo, TX
Ciara Minaj Carter Frazier, 31, Chicago, IL
Tydie Dansbury, 37, Baltimore, MD
Keanna Mattel,(Kelly Stough)  35, Detroit, MI
Regina Denise Brown, 53, Orangeburg, SC


2018 Trans Murders Stats Breakdown
Female 24-Male/GNC 1)

By Race
White-3   (3 female-0 male)
Latina-3   (3 female-0 male)
Black -19  (18 female-1 male/GNC)
Asian- 0
Native American- 0

By Age

50+  2
40-49  2

30-39  10
20-29  10
10-19- 1

This is unacceptable.  We need to have in 2019 a conversation followed by SUSTAINED action to reduce the number of Black trans people dying at the hands of Black men. 

And it's past time for Black legacy orgs like the NAACP to step up and lead instead of inactively sitting on the sidelines.   You silence is getting my people killed, and I'm tired of it. 

Frankly, all Black trans people are tired of the spectacle of the oldest civil rights organization in our community, pledged to uplift the lives of Black people, being outdone on this issue by HRC. 

It's pathetically sad that the Human Rights Campaign, which has had a contentious at times relationship with Black trans, bisexual and SGL people,consistently does what the NAACP won't in not only saying our Black trans names, but admitting there's a serious problem. 

This dynamic MUST change in 2019. 

Number 17- Rest In Power Dejanay Stanton

Was hoping we could get through the month of August without losing a single trans person, but unfortunately that is not going to be the case.

We go to Chicago for our latest trans murder. 

24 year old Dejanay Stanton was found in an alley at approximately 12:30 PM CDT at E.40th and S.Martin Luther King Streets on Chicago's South Side. 

Stanton was discovered suffering from a gunshot wound to the head after people in the area reported hearing gunshots.  She was transported to Stroger Hospital, where she was subsequently pronounced dead.

Stanton is the 17th trans person murdered in the United States in 2018, and the 13th African American trans person we have lost to anti-trans violence.   The part that really irritates and pisses me off is that she is now the eight trans person under age 30 we have lost to anti-trans violence.

Dejanay's Black trans life mattered.   When is that point going to be unequvocally acknowledged by the Black cis community, its legacy orgs and its political leaders?

A balloon release will be held later today at the 40th and King Street alley where she was killed starting at 7:30 PM. 

Chicago Police Department Area Central detectives are investigating this case, and would appreciate any information you can give them that will help bring the perpetration of this crime to justice.

Rest in power and peace Dejanay.   I'm upset that you really didn't get a chance to live your life, and I'm tired of the anti-trans animus that probably played a role in cutting yours way too short. 

You trans family and all who loved you will not rest until the person who killed you has been brought to justice.

Number 3- Rest In Power and Peace Tonya Harvey

We have now had the third trans person murdered in 2018, and we go to Buffalo, NY to talk about the latest trans person we have lost far too soon.

Thanks to TransGriot reader Marissa Webber, I was informed that 35 year old Tonya Harvey was fatally shot Tuesday evening just before 5:30 PM EST in the 100 block of Shepard Street near Pullman Place. 

And as you probably guessed, the Buffalo News misgendered her before correcting the story.

Webber said about her friend, "She transitioned in high school before there was the level of support currently in society and in the media today." "Tonya knew in her heart who she was. She was confident enough and loved herself enough to be who she was regardless of the hate she would receive in the world and by her peers in school," Webber continued.  

Harvey, who was also known as Kita to her friends, died at the scene.  She was not only the first confirmed murder in the city of Buffalo for 2018. she is unfortunately the first confirmed African American trans woman killed this year.

And in the ongoing pattern that continues to concern and infuriate me when it comes to these trans murders, she was under age 40.

Police have not released any further details as of yet concerning this case, but a spokeswoman for the Erie County District Attorney's office stated that the Harvey case is being investigated as a possible hate crime. 

As of yet there are no suspects, but if you have any information concerning this case you are urged to call either the Buffalo Police Department or Buffalo Crimestoppers at 716- 867-6161

As of this writing, no news about a memorial service. The Pride Center of Western New York also stated they would be working with community partners to help the community and all who loved Tonya grieve.

As soon as I receive that information I'll pass that along as expeditiously as possible.

Rest in power and peace, Tonya.   Your trans family and all who loved will will not rest until the person who killed you is captured and justice is expeditiously served.

BLM Houston Is Handling Its Harvey Business

One of the things that pissed me off was seeing that fake news story from a right wing website that falsely tried to claim that BLM was blocking a military rescue convoy with supplies headed to Houston.

It was a blatant lie that was easily debunked.  What it did do was motivate me to write this post telling the real story about what BLM Houston is doing in the wake of the passage of Harvey to help the people of Houston and southeast Texas affected by the storm.

It was needed and necessary for me to do especially in light of the fact that I know several members of BLM Houston's leadership including its founder Ashton Woods and Kandice Webber.  I also met in Denver during Creating Change 2015 the founders of BLM national in Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi and Patrisse Khan-Cullors.

I have witnessed firsthand what the peeps at BLM Houston have been doing for our Houston community before and since Harvey moved out of the area

For starters, BLM Houston member Brandon Mack is collecting school supplies for people who need them once the area schools restart.  Some of the local school districts had already started classes for the 2017-18 school year when Harvey struck while HISD was scheduled to start classes on August 28.

What is needed are pencils, white copy paper, spiral notebooks, notebook paper, post-it notes, clear backpacks, and binders.  Those school supply donations will be accepted through the end of September. 

BLM Houston is helping coordinate the clean up of people's flooded homes in northeast Houston, and has another Day of Action cleanup event scheduled for September 9.

BLM Houston has also been shopping for and accepting donations of supplies to distribute to people in need.

They are helping first responders and military personnel in town to help Houston recover from the floods.

In short, BLM Houston has been handling its Harvey business, and have been front and center in the efforts to help our people recover from this historic storm.

But you aren't hearing that from local or national media, or the right wing websites invested in spreading hatred of and disinformation about BLM.

If you are interested in helping BLM this weekend, their Houston Day of Action cleanup event they have scheduled will run from 10 AM-7 PM, and the gathering address will be the Fiesta at 9419 Mesa Rd in northeast Houston.
 
BLM Houston will provide the masks, cleaning supplies, gloves, goggles and tools for this event.  All they need is for you to show up to volunteer for it in jeans and closed toe shoes.

Thanks BLM Houston for doing your part at the grassroots level to help our community recover from Harvey.
 

Black Lives Matter LA Claps Back Against Racist NRA Ad

The NRA recently put out a racist ad narrated by Dana Loesch that not only attacked Black Lives Matter, but can also be described as a white supremacist call to violence.

In addition to being called out about the racist ad, the NRA has also been called out for their deafening silence in the wake of the Philando castile case.

Then again, the NRA is only proving what we've been saying about them for years in that they are a white supremacist organization, and their defense of the Second Amendment is only for the benefit of one ethnic group.

Black Lives Matter clapped back at the racist NRA by unleashing one of their own condemning it

 

Valerie Castile Speaks In Wake Of Unjust Verdict

Right now I need some time to think about what I just witnessed in the Philando Castile case.

Another officer being acquitted of a murder of a Black man by a predominantly white jury.   The silence of the NRA and police departments in this case and countless others.

And the justice system failing the Black community once again in the case of a cop killing a Black person

Driving while Black is not a death sentence.    But it is ongoing incidents like this that have me and others Black folks playing NWA on an endless loop, questioning this country's commitment to unbiased justice,  and believing that Officer Oppressor, not Officer Friendly parols our neighborhoods.

I'm going to let Valerie Castile, the mother of Philando Castile speak.   This is her reaction immediately after the unjust verdict acquitting Jeronimo Yanez came from a predominately white Minnesota jury.

Rest In Power and Peace, Ciara McElveen

At this point I'm pissed off.

I just went to a memorial service yesterday here in Houston for Chyna Gibson, and I woke up this morning to news of another NOLA trans woman being murdered.

Our fallen sister's name who was fatally stabbed there mere hours after Chyna Gibson was shot and killed Saturday in New Orleans East is Ciara McElveen.

She was found in New Orleans' 7th Ward after New Orleans police responded to a call at 9 AM CST at North Claiborne Ave and Columbus Streets.

NOPD arrived in the 1700 block of Columbus Street and discovered McElveen suffering from multiple stab wounds   She was taken to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

According to a witness, McElveen was arguing with the driver of the vehicle being sought in this killing.  The driver got out of the car after reaching across to the driver's side, opened the door, pulled McElveen out by her head, slammed her face into the ground and then drove off.

She is the second trans woman in New Orleans to be killed in the last 48 hours, the fourth this month, the third nationally in the span of a week and the 6th overall in 2017.

And as you probably guessed, the initial reporting misgendered her.

McElveen had no family members in the NOLA area, and according to NOPD spokeswoman Dawne Massey, NOPD is still conducting interview with witnesses and friends of hers,

NOPD is looking for a car, possibly a black Camaro in connection with this murder . If you have further information on this case that will lead to the arrest and convictions of the people who did this, please call call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or 1-877-903-STOP (7867).

I will be keeping you updated about the details concerning this latest murder until an arrest, prosecution and conviction happens for the person who took Ciara's life..

Rest in power and peace, Ciara,   Your community will not rest until justice is served in this case.

Rest In Power and Peace, Chyna Gibson

I just wrote a post about trans woman Keke Collier being killed in Chicago earlier this week, and now I'm having to announce that we have lost another trans sister in Chyna Gibson

New Orleans Police responded to a call Saturday night around 8:26 PM CST in the 4300 block of Downman Road and found the body of the 31 year old Gibson lying in the parking lot of the Bella Plaza shopping center in New Orleans East between two vehicles in front of a clothing store.

And as usual, at least one NOLA news station, WWL-TV misgendered her.

She had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead on the scene.  Gibson is now the fifth US trans woman murdered in 2017, all women of color.

She was well known in the ballroom community as Chyna Doll Dupree, and the New Orleans native had gone home from California to celebrate Mardi Gras.

NOPD Homicide Detective Robert Barrere is in charge of the investigation, and can be reached at 504- 658-1111 if you have any information concerning this murder.

The Orleans Parish coroner will be releasing further details about this case.

What also has me upset about hearing about this latest murder just down I-10 east is that last month a YouTube video surfaced of two cisgender males harassing and hunting trans women in the New Orleans area.

You can also call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or 1-877-903-STOP  if you have information that will lead to the apprehension of the person or persons who committed this crime.

Rest in power and peace, Chyna.    We will not rest until the person who did this is brought to justice and rotting in a jail cell.

Rest In Power and Peace Keke Collier

I'm sad to announce we have lost another young trans woman to anti-trans violence.

The latest trans murder happened in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood on Tuesday, and our sister we lost way too soon is named Keke Collier.

Chicago Police responded to a call of shits fired in the 7300 block of South May Street around 6:14 AM CST and found when they arrived Collier lying in the street suffering from gunshot wounds to the chest, arm  and hand.

The 24 year old Collier was transported to Advocate Christ Hospital where she succumbed to her wounds.   She is now the fourth trans woman in the US, all trans women of color, who has been murdered in 2017.

Three of the four trans women who have been murdered this year are Black, and one was Native American.  The thing that is also pissing me off about this murder is that once again, Keke was another under 30 trans woman.

Chicago Police are investigating this crime, and are looking for a dreadlocked man wearing a black hoodie and a red vehicle who was spotted fleeing the scene.   Shasha Lauren, a peer navigator at Chicago House, reportedly talked to a witness who stated they say Collier get into a car with a man   of the

If you have any information that will bring her killer to justice you are asked to call them.

A vigil has already been held for Collier,and if there is word of a memorial service, I will pass it along as soon as I receive it.    I'll also keep track of what happens in this case until justice is served for Keke, her family and all who loved her.

Rest in power and peace, Keke..

Mistrial In Zelle Ziona Case

Have some bad news to report in terms of one of our slain sisters receiving justice in Zelle Ziona.

Last month Rico LeBlond went on trial in Montgomery County, MD for the October 2015 murder of 21 year old Zelle Ziona.  He was charged with first degree murder, and was facing life in prison if he was convicted.

But unfortunately, after several days of testimony the jury deadlocked at 10-2 in favor of conviction, Circuit Judge Anne Albright declared a mistrial.

The Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office is planning to retry the case again.

We believe that we will obtain a guilty verdict in the next trial," said Ramon Korniloff, the spokesperson for the attorney's office.

Her trans siblings, Zelle's family and all who loved her hope that is the result of the next trial as well.

Rest In Power Brandi Bledsoe

We have lost another trans woman to violence, once again in Cleveland.

32 year old Brandi Bledsoe was found dead on Saturday clad only in her underwear and with white plastic bags covering her head and hands in the driveway behind a home on Drexel Avenue near 108th Street.  

And as you probably guessed, she was initially misgendered by the local media.

Her body was found at 10 AM EDT by a 5 year old boy riding his bike with his 12 year old brother

Police also reported that Bledsoe had head trauma and with the investigation of her death in its early stages, investigators are taking her trans status into account.

She is now the 23rd trans person killed this year in the US.  Her death now makes this the deadliest year for US trans women since we started keeping track of the murders of our trans siblings.   And once again for me, it falls into that infuriating pattern of an under 40 Black trans woman being killed

There has not been an arrest in this case yet, but will keep you TransGriot readers apprised of any developments in the Bledsoe case.

As of yet there isn't any information about a memorial service or vigil and I'll pass that info along once I receive it.

Rest in power and peace Brandi.  We will not rest as a community until the waste of DNA who killed you is captured and brought to justice.  

Love Your Black Trans KIds

One of the things that I have been angry about in my Black community is the disturbing pattern of a cadre of Black parents when their child reveals to them they are trans, negatively react by throwing them out of their homes.

It is a problem so pervasive that 13% of homeless transgender kids in the US are African-American, and that needs to stop.  I was cognizant of in it the late 70's when I was a teen debating whether to tell my own parents about my desire to transition.

It's a pattern I prayerfully hope is finally changing thanks to Black parents of trans kids who believe the best way to deal with a transgender child is envelop them in love and raise them, not kick them out on the street.

Research shows that trans kids having supportive parents can have a profound positive effect on trans kids,and it stands to reason that if they are happier in childhood, they will grow up to become happier well adjusted adults.  

I have been pleased to see in the last few years more Black trans parents at events and conventions in which parents of trans kids gather.

I have much love and respect for DeShanna Neal, who is raising an amazing trans feminine teen daughter in Trinity, who is telling her story in this ESSENCE article.   I was also pleased to see J.R. Ford, one of the trans dads who is speaking out about raising a trans child in this video.

I was thrilled to discover during the recent Gender Infinity Conference I attended that more Black parents are supporting their trans kids and not throwing them on the streets and starting to step up to leadership roles.

I was introduced during Gender Infinity to Gail Levein Barnett, who sits on the Houston PFLAG board and has a trans daughter.

I also met during the conference Jodie Patterson, who is raising her trans son Penel and talked about it during her keynote speech.

I also met other Black parents of trans kids at Gender Infinity and others during this year who have told me they not only love and support them, it's past time for the transphobic ignorance aimed at them and trans people of all ages in our Black community to immediately end.

I agree with them on that point.  Black America, it's past time for you to stop listening to anti-trans talking points that came from white fundamentalists, being regurgitated by your ministers cooning it up for conservacash and conservative media attention and other ignorant know-nothings.

And yes, in a world in which right wing politicians are ramping up anti-trans hatred for their own political gain, it's even more imperative that we see more Black parents of trans kids and their allies on the front lines defending our trans youth from legislative and rhetorical attack.

It is past time for Black America to unconditionally love their trans children, not revile them.  It's also imperative that we Black trans adults shower our trans kids with love and support our Mama and Papa Bears raising those kids.   As the possibility models for those trans kids, if we don't love and support our trans kids or the parents raising those trans children, who will? 

I am willing to help my people accomplish that mission by working with the parents of trans kids to point out they exist, do what I can to support them, and relentlessly point out the humanity of our trans children is not up for debate or discussion.

If you believe that the children are our future, as the classic lyrics of the song 'The Greatest Love Of All' states, and claim you love our children, then by extension, Black trans kids are included.

Trinity's ESSENCE Article

I met Trinity and her mom DeShanna back during this year's Philadelphia Trans Health Conference, and have much love for the Delaware based trans teen who began her transition at age 4.

As she has said to me, she is going to make trans history, and she wasn't kidding.  She recently visited Delaware Governor Jack Markell's (D) office with her family,

An ESSENCE magazine article came out today featuring her story, and I found it amazing since it wasn't that long ago Tracey Norman was shooting her sixth cover for ESSENCE and it was shut down after someone shadily outed her to Susan L Taylor.   Now they have had Laverne Cox on the cover twice, but still have yet to give her a solo one.

I'm talking about that past history in needed to point our just how far ESSENCE has moved on covering trans people in our community since the early 80's. An article about a trans teen in an iconic Black magazine is a big deal.

Twelve year old Trinity tells her story to ESSENCE readers, and said in it she wants to make the world more friendly for trans people.

"I want to tell kids to be themselves and release who they are," said Trinity.  "They don't need to hide all the time.  I had to tell my parents, and they could do the same thing.  I want to change the world by making it much more friendly to trans people."

Here's the link to the ESSENCE article, and thanks Trinity for telling your story in one of our iconic magazines.  I have a feeling it won't be the last interview you do.

Dee Whigham Case Update

This update in the Dee Whigham case is trigger warning worthy because it is going to discuss just how savage her murder was and how the waste of DNA who killed her deserves to be thrown under the jail, or even get lethal injection for it.

Whigham was found dead in her St Martin, MS hotel room on July 23. and the waste of DNA who allegedly killed Whigham was in court on September 12 as Jackson County Sheriff's Deputy Leo Allen described what happened from the witness stand.

The waste of DNA I'm talking about is 20 year old Dwayna Hickerson, who was captured on hotel surveillance video walking into the hotel room with Whigham, then leaving alone 23 minutes later.

According to Allen's testimony. the autopsy report revealed that Whigham was stabbed 119 times, with over 100 of those stab wounds to her face.  Her throat was also slashed three times.

Hickerson stole a Coach bag belonging to Whigham along with her cell phone and other personal items. His bloody clothes were found in a dumpster not far from his Keesler Air Force Base barracks, and base surveillance camera captured him throwing a large garbage bag in the trash.

The items stolen from Whigham were found on a beach near Keesler AFB partially burned.

Hickerson has been charged with capital murder in this case, and I will be keeping an eye on developments in it to see if Dee Whigham receives justice.

Trinity's Asking You To Stop Killing Us

The shock, sadness and anger over another Black trans woman being killed last night in Baltimore is not only affecting us in Black Trans World, but is affecting our trans kids. who are just as fed up and angry about this sadly repetitive and reprehensible situation as their trans elders.

Trinity's mom' DeShanna sent me this pic of her daughter Trinity. who is the young girl like us I mentioned in my speech at the GLAAD Gala last week,   Like many of us she is not happy that many of the trans people being killed share her ethnic background.

#ImAPerson   Yes indeed you are Trinity.   We all are.  Too bad some people refuse to see our pernsonhood and humanity and seek to demonize it.m

More importantly, like the hashtag she has on the sign, it drives home the a simple message and the point that we are not only persons, we are undeniably human.  That's a message that has been lost to the Republican Party, the TERFs and a long list of assorted enemies to transkind who get their jollies from oppressing us.

And the hateful rhetoric they are using to do that has filtered down to the general public. It is fueling anti-trans animus that is leading to increasing numbers of trans women being attacked and sadly murdered, and far too often it is Black trans women taking the brunt of that anti-trans violence.    

And it needs to stop.

Those Black trans women we have lost have been at the hands of other Black people, so Black community, you'r toxic masculinity is killing not only us, but is also resulting the deaths of Black cis women and any kids who don't exhibit heteronormative behavior.

#I'm A Person  #IAmHuman, she is human, all trans people are beautifully human and our #BlackLivesMatter.  

So just stop killing us.

Arrest Made In Dee Wigham Case

I'm happy to report for you TransGriot readers that an arrest has been madee in the Dee Whigham case.   She's the latest one of our sisters to be unfortunately taken from us in 2016.

The 25 year old Whigham was found stabbed to death in her St. Martin, MS hotel room on Saturday after traveling there with a group of friends from the Hattiesburg, MS area to attend the Gulf Coast Black Rodeo in Biloxi, MS.

20 year old Navy seaman Dwanya Hickerson of New Orleans, who was stationed at nearby Keesler AFB for training was arrested Monday morning and charged with capital murder     He got charged with capital murder because he was trying to rob Whigham.

Hickerson was the man spotted on the hotel surveillance cameras leaving Whigham's room, and a tip led investigators to Keesler AFB armed with a with a search warrant.  Hickerson had been there at Keesler since April for training.

The case is an ongoing investigation, and as I get more developments I'll pass them along to you TransGriot readers.  

RIP Dee Whigham

We've lost another trans sister to senseless violence, this time in Mississippi

Dee Whigham is her name, and the 25 year old registered nurse was found stabbed to death Saturday in a hotel room in St Martin. MS.   She was just starting her career in the medical field and worked for a hospital in Hattiesburg.

And once again, another Black trans woman who won't make it to her 30th birthday.

Whigham had traveled to the South Mississippi area with several friends in order to attend the Gulf Coast Black Rodeo in Biloxi, and she and her friends were staying in Room 127 at the Best Western Plus Cypress Creek Hotel just north of I-10 near the Ocean Springs exit

There is a person of interest in the murder that Jackson County sheriffs are looking for.   A man was spotted by the hotel security cameras around 8:35 PM wearing a green shirt and carrying a backpack, but at 8:58 PM showing the same man leaving with his shirt off and hanging around his neck.

Jackson County Sheriffs are looking for any information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the Whigham murder case, and if you do have information that will help solve it, call Detective Leo Allen at 228-875-0292, the Jackson County sheriff's dispatchers at 228-769-3060 or Crime Stoppers at 877-787-5898 or online at mscoastcrimestoppers.com

Rest in power and peace sis.   We won't rest until your killer is brought to justice.

TransGriot Update: An arrest has been made in the Dee Whigham murder.   20 year old  Dwanya Hickerson has been charged with her murder.

RIP Deneequia Dodds

Once again we have lost another of our young trans people to senseless violence.

22 year old Dennequia 'Dee Dee' Dodds was shot in the early morning hours on July 4 in a northeast DC alley just a few blocks from her home in the 200 block of Division Ave NE.  After police were flagged down to reach her at 3 AM EDT, she was taken to an area hospital with a gunshot wound to her neck, and was on life support for nine days before she was taken off of it and died July 13

"Her death reminds us all how often the transgender community is targeted for violence in our society," said longtime DC based trans advocate Earline Budd, who is acting as a spokesperson for the family.

Casa Ruby founding executive director Rudy Corado said in a statement, "Deneequia was part of the Casa Ruby family, and she is gone but not forgotten.  Her death will not be in vain."

"Casa Ruby denounces the genocide of young transgender women of color. People in leadership need to address the employment barriers that keeps trans women of color from accessing the resources they need to grow healthy and thrive," Corado added.

She would have celebrated her 23rd birthday this month.   Instead her family is planning her funeral instead of a birthday party. . A vigil was held in the courtyard of her home  at 5255 Clay Terrace NE on Saturday, with Dodds' funeral scheduled to take place July 25.

Deneequia Dodds has become the 15th trans person to die this year, and fits the ongoing pattern of anti-trans violence of  being a trans woman of color and under age 30.

DC Metropolitan Police has not released any information about a suspect, nor are they investigating Dodds' murder as a hate crime.  But with her death, when they do catch the perpetrator of this crime, that waste of DNA will be facing homicide charges.

MPD is also looking for information that will help solve this crime and bring Deneequia's killer to justice    You can call 202-727-9099 if you have information about this case.  You can also text 50411 to anonymously submit you information about this case.

There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this  case, and I hope our sister receives justice soon.  The Washington DC trans community and our allies will be making sure that happens.

Stop Killing Black People

"If that were happening to your community and it was your kids being depressingly killed every year by police that don't look like them or even live in their neighborhoods, would you be sitting silently on your hands about that injustice?"  
TransGriot, August 14, 2014
We have had in the last week three Black men killed by police officers in Baton Rouge, LA (Alton Sterling), a St Paul, MN suburb (Philando Castile) and in my hometown Saturday (Alva Braziel) mere hours after a Black Lives Matter rally that sought to bring down tensions between HPD and our citizens.

It's not like Death by Cop isn't a new problem for our community or the community's internal response to it.  One of the things I was told in 1978 after I'd passed my written test for my drivers permit by my parents was "Congratulations!  Now this is what you don't do in a traffic stop."

And two years later I violated one of those rules in a Highland Park, TX traffic stop because I was pissed off about being jacked with by the Highland Park PD for the crime of looking at Christmas lights while Black with my cousins.

Three years later I was dealing with the same crap again outside a then popular SW Houston nightclub called the Tyler Rose because my then homeboy's tail light on his car picked that moment to go out with two white male HPD cops in the mood to mess with some Black people.on our bumper at the Fondren and West Bellfort traffic light.

And once again I got snarky when I and my friends got asked why we all had South Park addresses on our drivers licenses when he and his partner saw us pulling out of the Tyler Rose parking lot.

My response to the question?  "Since when did it become a crime for people who live in South Park to be in Southwest Houston?"

I was fortunate that neither episode resulted in me or my friends dying because of my big injustice hating mouth, but that was the 80's.   Now it seems as though in the 2K16 white cops have a problem with Black people be they male or female no matter their age.   They are 'in fear of their life' so much when they encounter us they are straight up killing us and to our disgust not getting punished for it.

Black women not only have to be concerned during their interactions with police about getting shot to death or brutalized, they also have to be worried about being sexually assaulted or violently body cavity searched.

That crap needs to stop.  Today.

We are tired of having our humanity dismissed, ignored and being killed for BS reasons by police officers that are supposed to protect and serve our communities, and not getting punished for it. That's a major reason why you're seeing peaceful (for now) protests all across the country.

But if things don 't change for the better soon in terms of the longtime historically negative relationship between Black people and white police officers, then all bets may be off about those protests staying that way.