Number 8- Rest In Power and Peace Sasha Wall

Thanks to TransGriot reader Greg Green, he has made me aware of another trans sister we've lost to anti trans violence and it's  my sad duty to report that to you. 

The latest murder of a trans person happened in Chesterfield County, SC, just across the state line from Charlotte, NC.

Her name is 29 year old Sasha Wall.  She was originally from Charlotte, NC  but was living in Pageland, SC, 40 miles SE of Charlotte. 

Wall was found at 8 AM EDT Sunday in her running car slumped over the steering wheel.  She had been shot several times, with one gunshot wound in her neck.. 

And as you probably guessed, Sasha was misgendered in the article and in the on air broadcast by the police.

A passing motorist discovered what happened at the intersections of Sandy Plains Road and Highway 145 north of Chesterfield and near the North-Carolina-South Carolina state line and called 911

According to Chesterfield County Sheriff Jay Brooks, Sasha's black Toyota Corolla was parked on the side of the road with the engine running for nearly two hours.



A small caliber bullet was recovered from the driver's side door, and Brooks told WSOC-TV that whoever shot Sasha was either sitting in the passenger seat or was standing outside the car with the door opened.

The Chesterfield County Sheriff's Department at this time doesn't have a person of interest or a suspect in this case

Sasha is now the eighth trans person killed in 2018, and the fifth Black trans person murdered this year.   And once again, the pattern continues of an under 30 trans woman being murdered.

Rest in power and peace sis.   We will say your name and won't rest until justice is served in this case,

Number 7- Rest In Power and Peace Amia Tyrae

Been a few weeks since I wrote my last post chronicling a 2018 death of one of our trans sisters.
Unfortunately that break is over.

TransGriot reader jade Lenore has informed of another trans sister who has been violently taken from us in Baton Rouge, LA. 

Her name is Amia Tyrae Berryman, and she was 28 years old.   Her body was found at 1:15 AM in the Shades Motel on Airline Highway with gunshot injuries.  She died at the murder scene, and the  East Baton Rouge Parish coroner will be conducting an autopsy tomorrow 

And as you probably guessed, local media stating WBRZ-TV 2 misgendered her.   

As of this writing we have no information about any suspects or persons of interest in this crime

She is the seventh trans woman killed in 2018 and the fourth Black trans woman this year.  And yes, she's under age 30.

If I'm made aware of any memorial vigils, I will pass on that information to you.

Rest in power and peace, Amia.  We won't rest until justice is served in your case 

Justice For Kenne McFadden Rally and March Tuesday

Kenne McFadden was murdered while we were fighting to kill the unjust SB 6 bill.   Her body was found on April 9 by a barge operator on San Antonio's famed River Walk.

Her lifeless body was found floating in the San Antonio River near East Commerce and St Mary's Streets and was the 12th murder of a trans person in 2017.   The alleged killer, 20 year old Mark Daniel Lewis was arrested for McFadden's murder while he was in the Bexar County jail for another crime and indicted by a grand jury in November on manslaughter.

Lewis pushed McFadden, who was intoxicated at the time and a non swimmer, into the San Antonio River and refused to help her as she drowned.

The Bexar County DA Nico LaHood, for some unknown reason reason decided to present this evidence during a probation hearing for Lewis in an attempt to revoke his probation for failing to register as a sex offender.

On March 8, State District Judge Joey Contreras (R) a Gov Greg Abbott appointee to the 187th Criminal District Court ruled that Lewis pushing her into the river didn't rise to the level of criminal conduct.

Unfortunately, the probation hearing became a defacto trial, and once the judge made his ruling, Lewis couldn't be tried for her murder because of double jeopardy laws.

Fortunately for us in the Lone Star State, this is an election year, so Judge Contreras and DA LaHood have to face the voters.

FYI gentlemen, trans people and our allies vote     Judge Contreras is in a GOP runoff for his seat that will take place on May 22.   LaHood has already been punished at the polls.  He went down to defeat in the March 6 Democratic primary after just one controversial term in office.. 

In addition to LaHood having a contentious relationship with the San Antonio press corps, he'd made controversial anti-Islamic comments, stating the loud and wrong claim that vaccines cause autism, and threatened to destroy an attorney's career.

The result in this botched case has incensed the San Antonio trans community, and they are organizing a Justice for Kenne rally and protest on Tuesday.   The groups involved in coordinating the protest are the Trans Education Network of Texas (TENT), the San Antonio Gender Association (SAGA) and the Pride Center San Antonio.

There will be a press conference in front of Bexar County DA Nico LaHood's office at noon Tuesday, wirth the rally and march taking place at Crockett Park starting at 6PM 

And yes, I've been asked to speak at that rally, so see you Alamo City peeps Tuesday.

Number 6 -Rest In Power and Peace Phylicia Mitchell

Hard on the heels of hearing the news that the body found stuffed in a trash can in rural Santa Fe County was our missing trans sister, was news out of Cleveland, OH that we have now lost our sixth person of the year to anti-trans violence.

46 year old Phylicia Mitchell was found shot in front of her home in the West Side Edgewater neighborhood on West 112th Street near Detroit Avenue at approximately 6 PM on Friday. She was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center where she was pronounced dead according to Cleveland.com and CPD spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia

The case is under investigation, and Cleveland Police are looking for any information that will help them solve this case and bring to justice the person or persons who murdered her. 

Mitchell becomes the sixth trans person killed in 2018 and the third African American one this year.  She is also the oldest person so far to be killed this year since the pattern is usually trans women under age 40.

As of yet no information as to whether there will be a memorial service or vigil, and when I receive that information I will pass it along.   I'll also keep an eye on this case until justice is served for her, her longtime partner and all who loved her..



Rest in power and peace, Phylicia.

Number 4- Rest in Power and Peace Celine Walker

Not long after I learned about the murder  of Tonya Harvey in Buffalo, because of the misgendering of her by law enforcement and Jacksonville, FL media, I'm just now discovering thanks to reader Kayla Gore about the murder of the fourth trans person we have lost to anti-trans violence in 2018 and the second we have lost this week in 36 year old Celine Walker.

Walker, who was from Brandon, FL , was found shot to death in a room at the Extended Stay America on Skinner Lake Drive near St John Town Center.   The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office was called to the location after Walker's body was found at 8 PM EST Sunday.

The reason the media has misgendered her is because it started with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, who is claiming they have a policy that does not refer to victims as transgender. 

Well Jacksonville Sheriff's Department, y'all need to deal with the reality that trans people exists, because it was not only disrespectful to refer to Celine as a man, not stating from the outset that a transgender female was murdered (see how easy that was Jacksonville Sheriff's Office) has delayed your investigation

Many of us in the trans community who know her don't know, don't want to know or don't care to know a trans person's dead name.  If you tell us what your name is, we respect that. 

And her Black trans life mattered

Police and JSD investigators did canvass the hotel and the area talking to find out if they heard or saw anything that will help bring Celine's killer to justice.  If you have any information about this case, you are urged to call Crimestopper  at 866-845-TIPS (8477)

As of yet no word about a memorial service for Celine, but when I find out I'll pass that info to you as soon as I receive it.

Rest in power and peace, Celine.  Everyone who loved you will not rest until the person who killed you is 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.

Can We Make 2018 The Year We Free Ky Peterson?

One of the things I would love to see happen in 2018 is for Ky Peterson to be freed from his unjust incarceration in Georgia for defending himself

If you haven't heard about Ky Peterson's story.   He was living in Americus, GA and minding his own business on a fateful October 28, 2011 day waiting for his brothers to come out of a convenience store when a man approached and started asking him questions about his gender identity. 

Peterson, having been sexually and physically assaulted, began to feel  uncomfortable with the line of questioning and the man standing over him. 

As a result of the first sexual assault, he began carrying a gun in his bag.  The man standing over him raised red flads, so he decided to head home.   While cutting through a trailer park, he felt something hit the back of his head before blacking out. 

He awake to find himself in a trailer being raped by that man from the convenience store, screamed and hit his assailant.   The screams alerted his brothers, who pulled the man off Ky . 
The assailant ten charged at Ky who pulled his gun out of his bag and killed him.

Petersen ended up getting sentenced to 20 years in prison for basically defending himself from his rapist.  His first parole hearing isn't scheduled until July 2021 

Where is the NAACP on this case?   TBLGQ justice organizations?   Georgia gubernatorial candidates? I couldn't go a day without hearing about Chelsea manning, but there's silence about the unjust treatment of Jy Peterson.

Well, let's step up our human rights game. people   Let's work on getting Ky Peterson out of jail in 2018

Number 24- Rest In Power Brandi Seals

Still haven't hit Christmas Day yet and my sisters are still dying due to anti-trans violence. The latest trans person to die in 2017 not only is in my home state, but my hometown of Houston

26 year old Brandi Seals was found dead in front of a SE Houston home under construction at Brandon and Red Bud Streets in the Sunnyside neighborhood early Wednesday morning at approximately 6:00 AM.   One person reported hearing six gunshots before Brandi's body was discovered.

As you probably guessed, FOX 26's John Donnelly  horribly botched the reporting in this story.  The initial reporting was so horrible he neglected to get Brandi's age, or say in the story where her body was found. 

A mere blogger found that out doing the basic 101 level reporting Donnelly failed to do.

But Donnelly sure had no trouble misgendering Brandi or shadily injecting prostitution into it .

I also had a serious problem with the HPD detective Fil Waters referring to Brandi on air as 'a man dressed in women's clothes'   Brandi is not a 'he' or a 'man dressed in women's clothes', she is a transgender woman.

Brandi is the 24th trans person killed in the US in 2017 . She was also the 18th Black trans person (17 trans feminine) killed in 2017 and the fourth trans person in Texas this year. 

And once again in a patter that continues to infuriate and disgust me, she was under age 30.

As of yet, speaking of HPD they have no leads in finding Brandi's killer, so if you do have any information that will lead to the expeditious arrest, prosecution and incarceration of her killer, you can call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477)

Two vigils are being planned.   One is being organized by Dee Dee Watters at  the Sunnyside location where Brandi died starting at 7 PM tonight.   Another will take place at City Hall at 5 PM Friday 

Rest in Power and peace Brandi.   We will not rest until the person who killed you is apprehended, prosecuted and is rotting away in a TDC jail cell. 

Number 23- Rest In Power Brooklyn BreYanna Stevenson

Any hopes I had that we would not lose any more trans people in 2017 to anti-trans violence were dashed when I received word of the latest person to be taken away from us too soon.

This time the murder happened in Oklahoma City, OK  and it is 31 year old Brooklyn BreYanna Stevenson.

She was found dead in a motel room at the Oxford Inn at 5301 N. Lincoln Blvd in northeast OKC at approximately 2:30 AM CST Monday.

As you probably guessed, the initial news reports used her deadname.

Brooklyn's family put out a statement after hearing the news of her death.

"We are heartbroken.  Brooklyn BreYanna was an amazing daughter, sister and friend with a giving and loving heart.   We pray that those who committed this heinous crime will be identified and Brooklyn will receive justice." .

Brooklyn's family has also created a GoFundMe page to help assist with raising fund to cover the cost of her burial.

The murder investigation is in its early phase, and the OKlahoma City PD has no suspects or a motive at this time.   Those persons with any information concerning this case are urged to call OKC PD's Homicide Tip Line at 405-297-1200 

Stevenson is the 23rd  trans person killed in 2017, the 18th African-American one and the 17th Black trans feminine one.   And more irritating to me is that she was under age 35.

Rest in Power and Peace, Brooklyn!   Will keep track of this case until justice is served and the perpetrators of it are doing time.   If there are any upcoming memorial services or community vigils for her, will pass that information along as I get it.

Number 22- RIP Candace Towns

Woke up this morning to find out that we've lost our 22nd trans person to anti-trans violence in the person of 30 year old Candace Towns of Macon, GA.

Candace is also the 17th Black trans person we have lost this year to anti trans violence, and 16 of the 17 people were trans feminine.  Sadly she was just 30 years old.   She's the tenth Black trans person we've lost in 2017 who was age 30 or younger.

And as you probably guessed, the initial article by Laura Corley not only misgendered her, but also deadnamed Candace as well. 

Towns was staying at the Rodeway Inn on Eisenhower Parkway, was last seen alive Saturday,   and war reported missing on Sunday.   At 4 PM EDT Tuesday an anonymous 911 call was received  reporting a person was down at the end of a driveway and was possibly dead. 

That person was our trans sister, and police arrived she was found shot to death on top of a hill on Rosecrest Avenue between  Bright Street and Edgewood Ave. 

This had not been Candace's first brush with anti-trans violence.   In July 2009 the Macon Telegraph reported that she'd been shot in the ankle on Pebble Street, a few blocks from when her body was found Tuesday afternoon.

As of this writing there are no suspects in this case, and if you have any information that will lead to the apprehension and incarceration of the killer, please call  Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME (1-877-682-7463)

No word of any memorial service or funeral arrangements as of yet.   I'll pass that info on as soon as I receive it.   I also will keep track of the case until justice is served for our sister to the satisfaction of her family and all who loved her..

Dear Transphobic People- Putting You Transphobic Black Cis Men On Blast

Dear Transphobic People,
Been a while since I've done one of these posts calling y'all out on your off the chains transphobia, but in light of the fact that I have had to call out two transphobic Black men in Third Ward in the last 72 hours, with one of them threatening me with violence, it's past time for me to call y'all out like I had to do with my Black cis sisters.

First off, what the hell is wrong with y'all?  

I and other Black trans women are beyond sick and tired of being sick and tired of y'all having something to say when we are just trying to go about our day without harassment and you feel the nerve to whisper or holler 'that's a man' at us while we're close enough for you to hear it.

Neither do we like it when you Black men repeatedly get on the mics at 100,000 watt radio and TV stations broadcasting transphobic ignorance and hate speech to the world.

That transphobic hate speech metastasizes into anti-trans violence that can cause our deaths.  

Naw b****, I'm not a man. I was born an infant 55 years ago that evolved and grew to become a fabulous, proud, unapologetic Black trans woman who is finally comfortable in her body.

If I was a man, I wouldn't have spent the countless hours and years in counseling, tons of money on trans affirming medical procedures and the aforementioned counseling, money on a new wardrobe, and gleefully getting adjusted to the nuances of living life on the Black feminine side of the gender spectrum.

I and my trans sisters are women, regardless of the genitalia configurations concealed in our panties, what you assume our chromosomes are or what your ignorant masculine azz has to say about the subject.

Gender identity is between your ears, not your legs.  If you aren't a certified gender therapist, geneticist, progressive politician or pastor, supportive family member or ally, or a doctor that specializes in transgender issues, I really don't give a rats anus what your loud and wrong opinion is anyway.

I and Black Trans Feminine World are sick and tired of you kneegrows cooning it up with the same white male Republican politicians that hate your Black behinds to politically hate on the trans community, then expect me and my community's help and support when your white male GOP best buds turn on or their white supremacist police buds shoot to kill one of y'all after they're done using you for their right wing photo ops.

Whatever personal issues you have going on in your life,  or if you're mad because you ain't getting any attention sexually, don't take it out your shortcomings on Black trans women.   Don't get mad because we turned your azz down for a date. If we're not feeling you, deal with it.  

We know deep down you are turned on by us, want to date and get busy with us.  The trans porn sales numbers and sustained popularity of the trans porn genre don't lie.

We Black trans women, nor ANY woman for that mater, are not punching bags for you to release your toxic masculine anger on.   Neither is it acceptable to put your hands on or disrespect a trans woman for any reason.

Too many of my sisters are dying at your hands because you are far too concerned about your masculine reps than the lives of the trans women you are dating or getting busy with.  .

And naw Black gay men, you ain't escaping Moni's Dear Transphobic People wrath either.  It time to snatch your wigs, too

 Far too many of you have thrown transphobic shade at trans women you pass in the gayborhood streets or in the clubs while hugged up with your white male boyfriends, or while you're out and about at the club with your friends.  

Get it through your heads that trans women are WOMEN.  You are not experts (RuPaul) on how we live our lives, we trans women are.   If you want to know something about our lives, respectfully ask us.   If you work for an org that wants to know about our transfeminine lives, pay us for that privilege.

Don't get it twisted, being a trans woman is not analogous to being a drag queen.  While some of my trans sisters make their money doing drag in clubs or the pageant circuit and have used it as a way to facilitate their personal feminine transition journey, drag is simply a job for them to pay their bills.

When that show is over, they wipe the stage makeup off, clock out, exit that club, reenter society and navigate their way back home as trans women, not gay men.

And for those of you working in Black oriented or other cisgender focused human rights orgs, we need you to have our back in those policy circles you have access to, not stab us in the back.

My Black trans life matters just as much as yours does.   Black trans people aren't going away because we are an undeniable part of the diverse mosaic of human life, ,and you need to deal with that reality.

So cis Black men, next time you feel the urge to throw 'that's a man ' shade at a Black trans woman who is just trying to get through her day without drama, put your lips in park and don't do it.

Because you may not like what happens next if you follow through with your desire to mess with a trans woman that day.

Number 19- RIP Derricka Banner

We have now lost our 19th trans person this year, once again in Charlotte, NC.

26 year old Derricka Banner was found shot to death in her car at 3 AM Tuesday morning during the in northwest Charlotte in the 1400 block of Rosetta Street as the winds and rains of Tropical Storm Irma were lashing the city.

An arrest has already been made  by Charlotte Mecklenburg Police in this still being actively investigated case.

18 year old Montavious Sanchez Berry was arrested late Tuesday evening and charged with her murder.   He is also being charged with armed robbery and shooting into an occupied vehicle.

Banner makes the now 16th Black trans person murdered in 2017, and the 15th trans feminine Black person who has died.   And yes, she was under age 30.

We have had one Black trans masculine person in Kashmire Redd, one Native American  transwoman in Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow, one Latina in Josie Berrios,  and one White trans woman in Gwynevere River Song also lost due to anti-trans violence in 2017.

This case is still being investigated, and people with info concerning Banner's murder are asked to call CMPD  704-432-TIPS (8477)  and speak with Detective Jones, the lead detective on this ongoing case.   You can also call Crime Stoppers at 704- 334-1600 or the Charlotte Crime Stoppers mobile app or website.

As of yet I haven't received any news from my Charlotte area contacts concerning a vigil or announcement of funeral services yet, and I will pass that along to you TransGriot readers as I receive it

I'll also be monitoring the case until justice is served.

Rest in power and peace, Derricka.

Number 18 - Rest In Power Kashmire Redd

Knew it was just a matter of time before we lost another trans person to anti-trans violence, and sad to point out that we have lost out 18th trans person and first trans masculine one of 2017.

28 year old Kashmire Nazer Redd was stabbed multiple times in the upper chest area in the early morning hours Monday morning during a domestic dispute by his partner in Gates, New York.    Redd stumbled out of the apartment on Cocchia Crescent and collapsed on the front lawn.

Gates PD arrived on the scene at 4:30 AM EDT and Redd was still alive when they arrived.  He was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

His partner, 40 year old Doris Carrasquillo was arrested and has been charged with second degree murder in this case.  She has pleaded not guilty, and is being held in the Monroe County Jail without bail.

Redd is the 18th trans person killed in 2017, and sadly the first trans masculine one.   Once again he fits the ongoing pattern of trans people under age 30 dying due to anti-trans violence, and the 15th African American trans person who has been murdered this year..

I ask the question once again.   When will our Black trans lives matter to you, Black America?

As per usual, I will be tracking this case until justice is served.   If there is a memorial service, I'll pass that information on as soon as I receive it

Rest in power and peace, Kashmire.   We won't rest until justice has been served in your case.

Number 16- RIP Tee Tee Dangerfield

Was just thinking the other day that it has been too quiet this month on the anti-trans murder front, and just before I went to bed last night I received word that we'e lost our 16th trans person this year to anti-trans violence.

Her name is 'Tee Tee Dangerfield, and according to reporting from the Georgia Voice, the 32 year old was found outside her car in the South Hampton Estates apartment complex suffering from numerous gunshot wounds at approximately 4:30 AM EDT on July 31. .

According to Major Lance Patterson of the College Park Police Department, she was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital by College Park Fire rescue, but succumbed to her wounds.

This comes just days after a rally was held in the ATL expressing support for the transgender community..  She is the 16th trans woman of color murdered in the United States this year, the 14th African American trans woman killed in 2017, and most infuriating to me, was under age 40.

This also comes in the wake of the transphobic comments of the so called 'comedian'  Lil Duval expressing his 'kill the t----y' sentiments on the syndicated the Breakfast Club show.

Anti-trans hate thoughts + anti-trans hate speech = anti-trans hate violence.

And I'm sick of my trans sisters dying.

As of this time there are no suspects in Tee Tee's murder, and if you have any information that will lead to the arrest, incarceration and conviction of her killer, please call the College Park PD TIp LIne at 404-768-8664

As of yet, have not heard of any vigils or memorial services being planned at this time for our fallen sister, and will pass that info along as soon as I receive it.

Rest in power and peace Tee Tee.   We won't rest as a community until the person who took your life is spending the rest of theirs behind bars.

I Repeat NAACP, Where You At When It Comes To Trans People?

Black trans people are Black people.  We are also the Black men and Black women we say we are.  In many cases we fight for our very existence in the same neighborhoods cis Black people live in and we grew up as part of.  We Black trans people are also there when it comes to fighting for the causes that are important to the Black community as a whole, 

Now it's past time, NAACP for you to stand with us.-TransGriot, March 2, 2017 

Of all the organizations that expressed outrage about 45's tweet attempting to eviscerate trans people from the US military, I noticed that despite the NAACP currently having their 108th Annual Convention in Baltimore and having an LGBT Forum last night,  there is still a deafening silence coming from the NAACP concerning transgender people.

And as a former youth member of the NAACP who is contemplating rejoining the organization, that is bothering me.

Yes, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund has commented on Trump's anti-trans tweet and that's wonderful they did so.

But what we Black trans peeps need to see and hear is a board, NAACP presidential or chair level statement unequivocally spelling out where this 108 year old organization stands when it comes to the humanity and human rights of trans people, and backing that up with action.

Just an FYI NAACP, some of those 15,500 active duty transgender service members Trump attacked happen to be Black

We Black trans folks are catching hell, and we have noted that you have been far too silent about it.The Republican Party is gleefully passing anti-trans legislation like the odious SB 3 that just passed through the Texas Senate.  We have had 15 trans women of color murdered in 2017, with 13 of those women being Black.   Most disturbing to me is the increasing levels of anti-trans rhetoric being uttered in our community spaces, the time is now NAACP for you to step up and provide the moral leadership inside this community and unequivocally state that Black trans women are Black woman, Black trans men are Black men, and the NAACP will fight for their humanity and human rights.

And we need that said not only at the national level, but in state and local NAACP chapters as well.

As Jade Lenore of BTWI-Texas recently stated, " NAACP can you take a stand for the Trans people of the Black community? Myself and others need to know if you support us and stand with us. Will you defend us against this blatant hatred that ripping through our Black Trans community?"
I'd like to know the answer to that question myself, NAACP? .

So what say ye, NAACP?   Will you summon the moral courage to stand with the Black trans community and unequivocally state that you do?  Will you form partnerships with Black trans organizations already doing the work but who could use your century plus civil rights gravitas to aid their efforts? Will you work to become trans culturally competent?  Will you reach out to the Black trans leaders, parents of Black trans children and Black community allies and supporters for guidance to help you get there as expeditiously as possible?

Will you make a dent in our 20% unemployment numbers by actually hiring qualified trans people to do the work of this organization?  Black trans people are damned sure front and center in fighting for the human rights of everyone, including cisgender Black people.

Would be nice if we could get a regular paycheck for doing so.

Or will you do what many people and millennials expect you to do and say nothing, thus justifying the ossifying impression that the NAACP doesn't care about trans people or anyone that is not heteronormative , and is continuing its journey toward 21st century irrelevance?

We in Black Trans World eagerly await the answer to this question.

Dee Whigham Killer Sentenced To 40 Years

Here's an update in the Dee Whigham case.

Just to refresh your memories since we lost far too many sisters in 2016,  Whigham was the 25 year old trans woman killed in a St. Martin, MS hotel room on July 23 of last year by 2 year old Dwayna Hickerson, a US Navy sailor based at the nearby Keesler Air Force Base.  

After corresponding for months, she and Hickerson had a sexual encounter that resulted in her brutal murder at the hands of Hickerson   She had been stabbed 119 times and had her throat slashed three times, , with many of the stab wounds being to Whigham's face.

Hickerson on Thursday accepted a plea deal in which he  pled guilty in a Jackson County court to second degree murder and was sentenced to 40 years in prison for it.   Hickeson also got 15 years for robbery, for stealing Whigham's purse and cell phone.

He was set to go to trial for Whigham's murder on August 14 on a capital murder charge,  and was facing the death penalty in this case.

Hickerson will have to serve 35 of the 40 years assigned for the second degree murder charge, and 8 of the fifteen years he received for the robbery charge.

Number 15 - Rest In Power and Peace, Ebony Morgan

Here we go again.  We've lost another trans woman to anti-trans violence.

For this latest murder we go to Lynchburg, VA.   The News and Advance of Lynchburg is reporting that   Lynchburg police were called to 303 Riverfront Avenue at 1:07 AM EDT Sunday morning to find 28 year old Ebony Morgan suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

She was transported to Lynchburg General Hospital where she was unfortunately later pronounced dead

Lynchburg PD as of yet is not investigating this as a hate crime, and as of this writing there are no suspects or persons of interest in Morgan's murder.

No information as of yet of any vigils or memorial services being held for Ebony at this time

If you are in the Lynchburg area and have any information in this case that will bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice, you are urged to call Detective A.O. Kittrell at 434-455-6170 or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-798-5900  

Morgan is now the 15th trans woman killed in 2017, all trans women of color, and the 13th African-American trans woman to die this year.    Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow was Native American and Josie Berrios was Latina.

Rest in power and peace, Ebony.  The community won't rest until the person or persons who killed you are brought to justice.  

BTWI Statement Concerning The Barrin Murder

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2017
Contact Monica Roberts BTWI Media Chair
Carmarion D. Anderson  BTWI  Founding Executive Director
855-255-8636 Ext 11
media@blacktranswomen.org

Black Transwomen, Inc. is saddened that we must comment on the death of another trans woman of color in Ava Le'Ray Barrin.
 
What saddens and infuriates us as an organization that seeks to represent and empower Black trans women is that Ava was just 17 years old and hadn't even had a chance to follow her dreams yet.

And as usual, the Atlanta and Athens, GA media outlets reporting on the story once again played into the infuriating pattern of disrespectfully misgendering a Black trans woman in death.  

On Sunday June 25 Athens-Clarke County police responded to an 11:45 AM EDT call concerning an argument taking place in the Rivercrest Apartments on 1020 College Ave.   When they arrived they found Barrin lying in the parking lot of the complex suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.

She was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead at 12:45 PM EDT.

Ava has become not only the 14th trans woman murdered in the US in 2017, she unfortunately is now the youngest one killed this year.   She is also the 12th African American trans person killed this year.

All 14 of the murdered US trans women are women of color, with two of them being Native American and Latina.    What also is distressing to us is that eleven of the 14 people we have lost this year are under age 40.

21 year old Jalen Brown is in custody in the Athens Clark County Jail without bail, and has been charged with murder and aggravated assault in this case.

A candlelight memorial service was held for Barrin Monday night, and funeral arrangements are pending at this time.  BTWI's Dee Dee Watters will be doing a Facebook Live moment of silence in Ava's honor starting at 9 PM CDT.

BTWI, our brother organization Black Transmen, Inc, the BTMI Atlanta Chapter, the Black Trans International Pageantry System, and Black Trans Advocacy joins your family and all who loved you in expressing our condolences for your far too soon death.

Rest in power and peace, Ava.

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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  

Number 14- Rest In Power and Peace Ava Le'Ray Barrin

It's my sad duty to report that another trans sister has been lost to anti-trans violence, this time in Athens, Georgia.

The latest addition to our sadly lengthening 2017 list of trans women who are being killed is 17 year old Ava Le'Ray Barrin.  As usual, a Black trans woman was misgendered by the local media.

According to reports from the Athens Banner- Herald and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, for still unknown reasons a fight broke out in the parking lot of the Riverview apartment complex in Athens early Sunday morning between Barrin and 21 year old Jalen Breon Brown .

The two knew each other, according to Athens Clarke County PD spokesperson Epifanio Rodriguez.

When Athens-Clarke County PD responded to the 11:45 AM EDT report of the altercation, when they arrived at the apartment complex at 1020 College Ave, they found Barrin lying in the parking lot of the complex not breathing and suffering from a gunshot would to the left side of her chest.

 Ava was taken to a nearby Athens hospital where she was pronounced dead at 12:45 PM EDT

Witnesses told the arriving officers that Barrin was shot by Brown, who was still in the complex.  Despite claims of self defense, Brown was arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault, and is currently in the Athens-Clarke County jail with no bond.  .
 

A candlelight memorial service for Barrin was held in Athens at 7:00 PM EDT Monday evening,at the complex, and her funeral arrangements are still pending.

Ava LeRay Barrin is not only the 14th trans person killed this year, she is now the youngest trans woman to die in the US at age 17.   All 14 trans women murdered in the US this year have been trans women of color, with 12 of the 14 being Black   One person, Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow was Native American, and we recently lost our first Latina in Josie Berrios.

Rest in power and peace Ava.  You were just beginning to live your life as your true self, and were taken from us way too soon before you even had a chance to make your dreams become a reality.

Number 12- Rest In Power And Peace, Kenne McFadden

Was wondering how long it was going to take before all the anti-trans hatred being spewed out of Dan Patrick's and other Texas Republican mouths trying to pass SB 6, HB 2899 and other unjust anti-trans hate legislation would result in the death of a trans Texan.

The answer to my question was April 9. when 27 year old Kenne McFadden's lifeless body was found floating in the San Antonio River near the city's famed Riverwalk and many of us were up I-35 in the ATX fighting Texas GOP legislative oppression aimed at the Texas trans community.

But because the San Antonio media misgendered Kenne at the time, we are just now finding out two months later about her murder.  

Once again news media transphobes, accurate reporting of trans murder victims matters.  And I'm sick and tired of the media misgendering repeatedly happening to Black trans women .

Kenne is the 12th trans woman we have lost to anti-trans violence in 2017, and 11 of the twelve US murder victims have been African American.   Native American Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow of South Dakota is the only (so far) non Black trans person killed.

What also continues to sadden us at Black Transwomen, Inc is that nine of the dozen souls we have lost to anti-trans hate are under age 40.

And yes Dan Patrick, Lois Kolkhorst and Texas Republican Party, her blood is on your hands.  Anti-trans hate thoughts + anti-trans hate speech = anti-trans hate assaults and murders of trans women.

And far too often those trans women who end up dead share my ethnic background.

According to a KENS-TV report, the San Antonio PD has a person of interest in the case who is already in jail on unrelated charges, and they plan to after further interviews and sorting out what happened in this case, arrest and charge this person.

I, my San Antonio trans family and trans people and our allies across the Lone Star State will be keeping an eye on this case as it develops.