My Muhlaysia Booker Post Funeral Thoughts

I traveled to Dallas on Memorial Day with Dee Dee Watters and Diamond Stylz to represent BTAC and the Black Transwomen .Inc (BTWI) board at Muhlaysia Booker's wake and funeral 

While I was being interviewed by CNN and having a TV camera follow us upon our arrival in Dallas, I did take a moment on the nearly 4 hour drive up from Houston to ponder this latest trans death.

There were things about it that were maddeningly familiar, and some that felt different this time.

Let's start with the familiar stuff.   Muhlaysia was at the time the fourth trans woman to die due to anti-trans violence in 2019.    She was just 22 years old and as we already depressingly know, a Black trans  woman.  She was also like someone else y'all know from Texas, unapologetic about it.

To add to the pain we were already feeling in Dallas, in Philadelphia and across Black Trans America, just before Dee Dee, Diamond and I headed up I-45 to be at Muhlaysia's wake and funeral came the news about Paris being killed in Detroit that Saturday.

Six Black trans women this year.  Four in the month of May alone.   We were also here in Dallas a year after Carla Pavon had been murdered a few miles from where the Cathedral of Hope sits

But this one felt different as well.   The last time I attended a funeral for one of our slain trans siblings was back in 2008 when I was living in Louisville.   That particular funeral was deeply personal because I knew Nakhia Williams and we worked for the same local security company.

Despite being active in trans rights work for a decade at the time, I wasn't as well known nationally as a trans advocate as I am now when walked into that funeral home and the Cathedral of Hope the next day.   TransGriot was only two years old at the time. 

This funeral had international news coverage, in large part because of the viral video of Muhlaysia being assaulted after a traffic accent just a month ago.   This funeral was attended by Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Dallas council members Omar Narvaez and Adam Medrano

We had people that came from New Orleans and Washington  to be in attendance.in addition to her Dallas and Texas trans family showing up and showing out in terms of their support for Muhlaysia and her family.

It was also nice to find out some interesting personal details about Muhlaysia.    She was an Eagle Scout.  We discovered that when members of her former scout troop showed up at the funeral home to pay their respects to her.   She was fun loving  and well liked by members of the Dallas trans community and people in Oak Cliff neighborhood.

Her mother told us that while Muhlaysia didn't like starting fights, she had no problem finishing them.

During the resolutions phase of the funeral, proclamations were read from Texas state Senator Royce West (D-Dallas), the city of Dallas, and the Texas House of Representatives from House Rep Jessica Gonzales (D-Dallas)    A few days earlier, Muhlaysia Booker's name had been spoken from the US House floor by Rep. Marc Veasey (D-Ft Worth)

It reminded me as I was sitting there listening to those resolutions being read, that the Texas Lege had gone sine die the day before.   HB 1513, which would have added trans Texans to the James Byrd Hate Crimes Act, was one of the bills that died when it was left pending in the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee after an April 29 hearing in which I and other trans Texans pointed out why it needed to be passed.

Our sister Muhlaysia is now with the ancestors.   It's up to us left here to make certain that when the 2021 Texas legislative session kicks off, we do everything possible to add trans Texans to the Byrd Hate Crimes Act.    We also must ensure that the wastes of DNA who killed her are also brought to justice.

Muhlaysia Booker Wake Today

Headed to Dallas today with Dee Dee Watters and Diamond Stylz as representatives of BTAC and Black Transwomen, Inc to attend the wake and funeral of Muhlaysia Booker.

The wake is later this evening at the Golden Gate Funeral Home starting at 6 PM CDT, with the funeral service being moved to the Cathedral of Hope.

If you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and wish to attend the wake and or the funeral, the Golden Gate Funeral Home is located at 4155 S. RL Thornton Fwy in Dallas

The funeral will start at 11 AM CDT    The Cathedral of Hope is located at 5910 Cedar Springs Road.   You may wish to get there early because they are expecting a large crowd to attend this service.

Number 4- Rest In Power and Peace Michelle Washington

Less than 24 hours after Muhlaysia Booker was killed in Dallas, in Philadelphia 40 year old Michelle Washington was found at 5:06 AM EDT in the 3400 block of North 11th Street suffering from gunshots to the head, body and buttocks.

Washington was transported to Temple University Hospital where she subsequently died after her arrival.

Now for the grim stats.   Washington is now the 4th trans person we've lost to anti-trans violence in 2019 and the second in less than 24 hours.   As you probably suspected, all the trans people we have lost in 2019 have been African American.

Philadelphia police found three shell casings at the scene, and are looking for any information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of thee perpetrators of this crime.

As of yet no word about a memorial service, but will post that information once I receive it from my Philly trans family.   She was also known as Tameka to her close friends in the community

Rest in power and peace, Michelle.   You not only will be remembered by everyone who loved you, we will not rest until the person who committed this crime is rotting in a jail cell.

Number 3- Rest In Power and Peace Muhlaysia Booker

This latest report of a trans murder in 2019 is not only coming from my home state of Texas, it is shocking and mindnumbingly sad for me.

23 year old Muhlaysia Booker survived a brutal April 12 assault by a mob in an apartment complex in Dallas' Oak Cliff neighborhood.  Today it is my sad duty to report that Ms Booker was found shot to death Saturday morning by responding Dallas police officers at 6:40 AM CDT in the 7200 block of Valley Glen Dr. near the Tenison Park golf course in east Dallas.

Booker was pronounced dead at the scene due to 'homicidal violence'.   There are also no suspects as of yet in her murder.   I know where y'all can start looking, DPD.   How about every transphobic fool that was videotaped throwing blows at her on April 12? 

Rest in power and peace Muhlaysia. 

This one's personal to me, her loved ones, BTAC and every trans Texan.  As BTMI president Trenton Johnson said on my FB page, "They attack her in one month and then take her life the next!! This has to stop!"

I agree.  It needs to stop.  I want the waste of DNA who killed Muhlaysia to be expeditiously captured and brought to justice.

Booker is now officially the third trans person to die due to anti-trans violence in the US in 2019, and our first in the Lone Star State this year.  All three trans persons who have been killed in 2019 so far have been African American

This one infuriates me even more because it not only happened here in Texas, it is because of what happened to Booker back in April.   It also happens after HB 1513, a bill sponsored by Rep. Garnet Coleman that would have added trans people to the state's James Byrd Hate Crimes Act, died in the House State Affairs Committee committee for this session. 

What is really pissing me off is that we are still sorting out the fallout from the transphobic April 12 mob assault on her in Oak Cliff and were engaged in getting justice for her in that case. 

Now she's dead and her family is now planning her funeral.

I have to ask the question of the Texas NAACP and other organizations in the Black community not named Black Lives Matter or Black Trans Advocacy Coalition.   Do y'all even care about the lives of Black trans people, much less Black trans women?

Your silence, Texas NAACP tells me otherwise. 

If any memorial services are scheduled, I will pass that info along to you as I receive it.

Beyond Getting Tired Of Black Trans Women Getting Attacked For BS

Last week I went to Austin to testify in favor of HB 1513, a bill sponsored by TX state Rep. Garnet Coleman that would have added gender identity to our state's James Byrd Hate Crimes Act.

Once again, the people most in need of being covered by that act were left out in the political cold as the bill died in committee.   Never mind the fact that we'd had two Black trans people attacked in Dallas and Killeen a week apart BEFORE I made the trip to Austin to testify in favor of that bill.

Now I'm hearing about a 22 year old Black trans woman who was shot outside a Waffle House in the suburban Memphis town of Southaven, MS early Friday morning.

Nia Brooke Smith was verbally abused by Hampton as she walked into the Waffle House on Hamilton Road near Main Street in Southaven around 3:00 AM CST on May 10 to simply get some food and head home. 

An argument and fight ensued after transphobic disrespect was aimed at her and Hampton threw a glass of water in her face.   Smith defended herself, attempted to walk away and get in her car to leave the Waffle House and was cut off by Hampton. causing a traffic accident.    Hampton subsequently pulled out a gun as Smith got out of her car and attempted to use it as a shield.    Hampton was shot twice in both legs.  One of the bullets broke her femur bone, and will require surgery to fix.

Smith was taken to Regional One Hospital in Memphis for treatment.   Prayers going up to Nia and her family, and I hope she has a speedy recovery from her injuries.

I also want justice for Nia as well.

23 year old Jimtarius Hampton of Memphis was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with aggravated assault, manifest extreme indifference to life   He spent the weekend in the DeSoto County (MS) jail without bond, and is appearing in court on May 15.

This is also not Hampton''s first brush with the law.  As a 19 year old Lane College student he was arrested after he shot someone in the leg during an on campus altercation.

Mississippi does have a hate rimes law, but it doesn't cover gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.  Mississippi police and sheriffs departments are not required to report hate crimes to the FBI.   Two bills to update the Magnolia State's hate crimes laws, House Bill 1494 and Senate Bill 2163 failed to advance out of committee in the Republican controlled Mississippi Legislature.

Mississippi's current hate crimes law does allow prosecutors to seek enhanced penalties against a person for committing a crime against another person based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin or gender.

But back to discussing what happened here in Southaven.   The Black trans community is beyond sick and tired of being sick and tired of Black trans women (and Black trans men) being assaulted by cis Black people because you have a personal problem with us existing.

You also need to work out whatever toxic masculinity issues you have with a therapist.  Black Trans World is not here to be your punching bags to make you feel better about your miserable selves.

FYI to you trans attracted men trying to hook up with us.  Spouting anti-trans insults when you're hanging out with your homies, then trying to get with us on the sly later is not a good look for you, and is a real turnoff. 

Black trans people are Black people.  We exist, and we aren't going away or back into the closet.  If you have a problem with us living our lives, that's on you.   It does not give you cis Black people carte blanche to disrespect us, put your hands on us, or kill us.

Contrary to what you peeps may think, violently putting your hands on a Black trans woman or killing us WILL get you serious jail time.

And it needs to stop.   Today.

Arrest Made In Dallas Trans Hate Attack

Gotta love the Dallas Police Department swiftly handling their business and catching one of the perps involved in the Muhlaysia Booker hate attack.

29 year old Edward Thomas was arrested last night by DPD.   They are continuing to canvass the Oak Cliff neighborhood for other participants and witnesses to the hate crime that happened on Friday.

Meanwhile Booker is recovering at home from her injuries suffered in the attack.   She was knocked unconscious during the assault and was dragged to safety by several cis women.

Muhlaysia's father Peirre Booker spoke to a local Dallas television station about how upset and angry he was about what happened to his daughter.





Here's hoping that the Dallas Police Department not only finds all of the wastes of DNA involved, but the Dallas County DA prosecutes them to the fullest extent of the law to send a message that violence aimed at trans people will not be tolerated.

Vigil For Ashanti Carmon Tonight

For those of you in the DMV area, a vigil has been scheduled tonight for our sister Ashanti Carmon, who was killed in the early morning hours of March 30.

Here's the press release for it:

April 2, 2019, Washington, DC

The Transgender community condemns the murder of Ashanti Carmon, a 27-year old transgender woman who was brutally shot multiple times to death in the 5000 block of Jost Street in the town of Fairmount Heights, MD on the morning of Saturday March 30   

The Transgender community and other local LGBTQ organizations joins the Carmon family and friends in mourning this senseless loss.  Her murder reminds us all of how often the transgender community is targeted for violence in our society.   Sadly, violence against transgender people has become far too common in many cities. 

While this murder was just across the Eastern Avenue line and happened in Maryland, Ashanti is well known and loved in the DC area by many.  In looking back on murders it brings us to the shooting death on Eastern Avenue N.E. of Lashai McClean age 23 who was killed in July of 2011.   While this murder may or may not be characterized as a hate crime by police at this time, it is important that each of us works to eradicate transphobia on a personal and societal level.       

There will be a Press Conference prior to the vigil, beginning at 6:30 PM EDT. The vigil will take place on April 02, 2019 at 6:30 pm in the 5000 block of Jost Street near the site of the attack. The LGBTQ community encourages everyone to participate and show solidarity against hatred and violence.  Also, Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced once released.  

Hope you can attend if you are able to do so.

Number 2- Rest In Power and Peace Ashanti

This is definitely not the way I wanted to spend our tenth anniversary celebration of the Transgender Day of Visibility, but it is a sobering reminder of how our visibility can come with a high price.

It's also something I've been concerned about as we transition out of the colder winter weather into the spring.  When the weather warms up,  the anti-trans violence incidents rise along with the warmer temperatures. 

We travel to the Washington DC area for news concerning the second trans murder of 2019. 

The 20 something year old Ashanti Carmon was found dead after Fairmount Heights police responded to multiple shots fired calls in the area of Aspen and Jost streets around 6:23 AM EDT Saturday morning.

I also had a major problem with the way the report on her death was written by WJLA-TV in DC media.

The area is near the DC-Prince George's County line.   Police arrived at the scene seven minutes later, located Carmon, and pronounced her dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

It was the first murder in Fairmount Heights in five years according to its police chief.  The homicide investigation will be turned over to the Prince George's County Police.

As of yet, no word on a memorial vigil or a funeral, but once I find out that information, I will pass it on to you TransGriot readers once I receive it.   .

And I have to ask once again, especially on this TDOV day, when will our Black trans lives matter to the Black cis community?:

Both the trans people we have lost to anti-trans violence in 2019 have in common they are Black trans feminine people and under age 35.   

Rest in power and peace Ashanti.   May the person who committed this heinous crime be swiftly caught and punished for it.

Trans Woman Messed With At Mississippi Casino

One consequence of the false anti-trans 'bathroom predator' rhetoric the Republican Party pushed to oppose trans rights laws is it invites scrutiny on any cis or trans woman who doesn't fit the stereotypical and goalpost shifting standards for what a woman is supposed to look like.

It has also emboldened transphobes to play gender police and mess with people going to the damn bathroom

One of the things Alexus Tate loves to do is head to the Gold Strike Casino in Tunica County Mississippi and enjoy the time she frequently spends there trying her luck. 

But the trip she took to the casino the day after Thanksgiving with a friend wasn't anything but pleasant for her because transphobia smacked her in the face.

I'm also not liking the transphobic 'born a man' line in this WREG-TV article   Back to the story. 

A female casino security guard loudly demanded to see Tate's ID as she left the restroom in front of other casino patrons.   A janitor confided to Tate that the security guard had made disparaging transphobic remarks about her as she entered the restroom, saying 'Why is 'it' in there?"

Tate immediately sought out other employees to address the transphobic incident and has been in contact with Gold Strike casino management.   The casino management claimed they were investigating the matter, but haven't been in contact with Tate since December.

Tate says while the Gold Strike management has been apologetic about the incident, has offered her free plays and hotel stays, what she wants most, the firing of the transphobic security guard, hasn't happened. 
MGM Resorts, who owns the Tunica casino in question, sent this statement to WREG-TV

“Inclusion is a core value for MGM Resorts, and all security officers are trained on our company’s policy of allowing guests to utilize public restrooms based on the gender with which they identify. Unfortunately, the security officer involved in this incident did not respond appropriately. The security officer in question was immediately corrected, the policy was clarified to the guest by a supervisor at the time of the incident, and the security officer involved was disciplined accordingly. We sincerely regret this incident and have apologized to the guest. We hope for the opportunity to make up for her poor guest experience 

“This incident does not represent our values or the conduct of employees across our company. Our employees train extensively on our policies, and we will continue to reiterate and emphasize our commitment to inclusion and our focus on treating guests appropriately. Our goal, as always, is to ensure all guests feel welcome and have a safe and enjoyable experience.”

Nice sentiment.  But until that message is sent with the firing of the security guard in question that transphobia isn't tolerated, and there are consequences for those who engage in it, these will be nothing but empty words 

Number One Of 2019- Rest In Power and Peace Dana Martin

I was wondering as the noise faded in my neighborhood from the fireworks illegally being set off and the idiots firing their guns in the air how long it would take for us to lose the first trans person of the year to anti-trans violence in the US?

I got my answer to the question I posed to myself on New Year's Day.  Six days.

We go to Montgomery, Alabama for our first trans murder of 2019.

I was advised by Daroneshia Duncan Boyd that 31 year old Dana  Martin of Hope Hull, AL was found at 11:30 PM CST after people reported a car crashed into a ditch in the 3900 block of Brewer Road off Selma Highway. 

When Montgomery police arrived at the scene, they discovered Martin dead at the scene from a gunshot would to the head.

And as usual, the local media and MPD initially misgendered her.

Rant moment:  I am beyond sick and tired of the media and local police departments being transphobic azzholes and deliberately misgendering and deadnaming trans people.   They then want to get salty when the trans community calls them on their BS.

MPD put out a statement trying to justify their transphobia and the misgendering of Martin.

“Please note that MPD publicly identified the victim as male as determined by legal documents and forensic evaluation,” said MPD Captain Regina Duckett. “For MPD, how a homicide victim identifies is a personal matter that becomes relevant to our investigation only if it is determined to be a reason the victim was killed.”

Naw Captain Duckett, not today.   It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that if you have a person that is dead that has a penis in her panties, the odds are probably 100% you're dealing with a trans feminine person.

it also doesn't detract from your investigation to announce that a trans person has been murdered.  By respecting the person instead of disrespecting them , you increase the chances of solving the crime.

Rant over, back to the business end of this post.

MPD detectives investigating this case believe that Martin was shot in the general vicinity near where the car was found.   They are asking that if you have any info that will lead to the capture and prosecution of the perpetrators of this crime, to call CrimeStopers at 334-215-STOP  (7867), Secret Witness at 334-625-4000 or MPD at 334-625-2831

Rest in power and peace Dana.  You trans family and our accomplices in Alabama and beyond will not rest until justice is served to the satisfaction of everyone who loved you.

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 25- Rest In Power and Peace Regina D. Brown

Thanks to Elizabeth Rivera, it was brought to my attention that we lost another trans sibling.

We go to Orangeburg, SC to discuss our latest trans person who was taken from us far too soon in the person of 53 year old Regina Denise Brown.

The crime originally happened back on October 10 when Brown's home on 361 Sellers Avenue was reported by a woman as being on fire at 4 AM EDT that morning and called authorities.  . 

Because Brown's 2000 Lincoln Navigator was missing, arriving fire fighters assumed that no one was home.   The presence of a vehicle in the driveway is an indication to firefighters arriving to battle a house fire that someone might be home.   

As the firefighters worked to put out hot spots, one of them discovered her body and asked firefighters to cease with the hot spot dousing operation   Orangeburg Department of Public Safety and  SC law Enforcement Division was then called in to begin the investigation into her death.

37 year old Kenneth Lamont Jenkins of Columbia, SC was charged with second degree arson and grand larceny a few days after the fire.  He 'willfully and maliciously' according to the arrest warrant set fire to her home, and watched it burn from across the street as he sat in her SUV before driving off.

That point alone made me go hmm after reading the initial report, and had me recalling the eerie similarity with the Viccky Gutierrez case in LA earlier this year.   Her body was found after her apartment was set on fire by accused killer Kevyn Ramirez. 

Jenkins was subsequently charged with murder after admitting he killed Brown after a physical altercation, and had injuries on his body consistent with being in a physical altercation.

Now for the grim duty of dropping knowledge on the trans murder stats. 

Brown is not only the second trans woman murdered in South Carolina this year, she is also the second oldest one in the US at age 53 to die.    She is also the 19th African American trans and GNC person out of the 25 we have lost to anti-trans violence in 2018.

The 53 year old Brown was a beloved beautician an hairstylist in her community and is missed by all who loved her.

And may Kenneth Jenkins be tried, convicted and thrown under the jail for his crime. 

Number 24- Rest In Power and Peace, Keanna Mattel

I was wanting for Christmas no more trans death in 2018.   Unfortunately that is not going to be the case with three weeks left in this year.

We go to Detroit for our latest 2018 trans murder in the person of 35 year old Keanna Mattel. 

Detroit Police unfortunately found her lying dead in street from a gunshot wound on E. McNichols between Brush and Omira streets just before 6 AM EST.   A 46 year old male was arrested by DPD in connection with the shooting, which is still under investigation.

Keanna was active in the Detroit ball community, and was a beloved member of the House of Ebony.

Ironically just three years ago she had been interviewed and quoted in The Guardian in the wake of another Detroit trans sister who had been murdered named Amber Monroe.  .

The way we clean up our community is not to just throw people in jail. It’s to offer help, resources, jobs … helping girls get their GED.” 

Mattel is the 24th trans person we have lost to anti-trans violence  this year.   She is also the 18th Black trans person we have lost to anti-trans violence (17 female, 1 male).  She's also the 10th person under age 40 we have lost. 

Her Black trans life mattered.   When are Black trans lives going to matter to the rest of Black America? 

As of yet, no word on a memorial service, but will pass that info along when I receive it.

Rest in power and peace, Keanna.  We won't rest until you receive justice, and all of our Black trans  lives matter.

Number 23- Rest In Power and Peace Tydie

I was hoping we could get through the remaining weeks in this year without having another trans person murdered. Sadly that is not the case.

We head to Baltimore for our latest sister we will memorialize in 2018. 

Her name was Tydie Dansbury, and she was found unconscious on the side of a street at 4:15 AM EST on Monday, November 26.  Neighborhood residents who called the Baltimore PD reported hearing a gunshot in the 2400 block of Guilford Ave at W. Lanvale St. 

The 37 year old Dansbury was taken to a nearby hospital where she died a short time later.

BPD Police spokesperson TJ Smith said in a Baltimore Sun video interview that what they do know is that some kind of argument took place between Tydie and another person, and that person pulled out a gun and shot Tydie.   The perpetrators subsequently left the crime scene at a high rate of speed in a dark colored vehicle.

Baltimore police are urging anyone with information that can solve this murder and bring the perpetrators to justice to call the police homicide office at 410-396-2199 or text with tips at 443-902-4824    You can also call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP (1-866-756-2587) to leave anonymous tips.

Tydie is the 23rd trans person we have lost to anti-trans violence in the US in 2018 and the 17th African American trans person we have lost this year. 

The Baltimore Transgender Alliance hosted a vigil tonight that started at 7 PM at their headquarters,  The BTA will be monitoring the situation to ensure that justice is served for our departed sister.

And I have to note one other thing.  Baltimore is the headquarters city for the NAACP.   When will they speak out. as HRC is doing, against the plague of violence disproportionately affecting Black trans people?

When will our Black trans lives matter to the oldest civil rights organization in our community?

Rest in power and peace , Tydie.  You trans family and everyone who loved you will not rest until justice is served in your death.

Number 22- Rest In Power and Peace Ciara Minaj Carter Frazier

Little did I know that when I posted my cumulative trans murder stats for this year, I'd have to go back into the post to correct it a mere 24 hours later. 

We unfortunately go to Chicago for the second time this year to discuss the latest trans woman we have lost to anti-trans violence.

She is 31 year old Ciara Minaj Carter Frazier.   At 9:28 PM CDT Wednesday night she had been arguing with a person inside an abandoned building in the 4500 block of West Adams in the West Garfield Park neighborhood, 

That person stabbed multiple times, then left her body in the backyard of the building.    She was pronounced dead at the scene by police and Cook County medical examiners.    A subsequent autopsy found that Frazier died of multiple sharp force injuries, and her death was ruled a homicide.

The Chicago Sun Times story l based this post on,  is being accused of leaving out some disturbing details that I'm hearing about from local trans advocates and people who knew Ciara. 

They allege that the perpetrator mutilated her body by cutting off her genitalia, and the body was nude when it was discovered.   Those missing details, if confirmed, escalates Ciara's murder to a hate crime.

It also fits into the excessive violence beyond lethality pattern that we know is a part of the profile of murders of trans women.

Her murder is being investigated by Chicago PD Area North detectives.

Frazier was well known in Chicago's ballroom community, and she was the second trans person to die in the city in less than a month.   She is also the 16th Black trans person to die in the US in 2018. 

And once again, she was under 40 years of age. 

#StopKillingUs    Our Black trans lives matter.   When will we hear community leaders, our legacy organizations, faith leaders and the politicians we put into office with our votes say that?

Or are you content to stay silent about it as the plague of violence being visited upon Black trans people continues? 

Number 20- Rest In Power and Peace Londonn Moore Kinard

While we're still waiting for confirmation on two possible murders in New York, we have a confirmed one in North Port, FL 

20 year old Londonn Moore Kinard was found face down shot to death at the intersection of Sawyer Circle and Red Oak Road at 7:30 AM EDT Saturday.

And as you probably guessed, Londonn was egregiously misgendered in death by reporter Lauren Coffey, who went out of his way to misgender our fallen sister. 

I'll call out this F+ transphobic 'reporting' and this stenographer later.  In the meantime my priority is getting justice for Londonn and all who loved her.

Step aside, sir and watch how we properly cover a trans murder victim.

Back to business.

North Port PD is still investigating this case and are being tight lipped about many of the details in this case.   They are asking if you do have evidence that will lead to the arrest, prosecution and conviction of the killer, you are asked to call Detective Chris Maki at 941-429-7323 

Londonn is now the 20th person we have lost in the US in 2018 to anti trans violence.   She is the 15th African American trans person we have lost this year, and the tenth person under age 30 we have lost.

And we're still trying to confirm if two more found dead last week were homicides.

Yeah, this pattern is getting beyond aggravating.  My young trans siblings die, and get disrespected still further in death. The crap has got to stop.   #StopKillingUs   #BlackTransLivesMatter

Just DON'T Do It!

Stop killing trans women, and especially Black trans women.

Our Black trans lives matter just as much as yours do

Number 19- Rest In Power and Peace Shantee Tucker

It has been another rough year for Black trans women in terms of once again being the ones most likely to be killed due to anti-trans violence. 

I was traveling, and was distressed to hear while waiting for my connecting flight in Phoenix this morning that we added another name to the already too long list of trans people who have been killed in 2018.  We go to Philadelphia. PA  for the nineteenth person we have lost in the person of Shantee Tucker.

According to reporting from Philadelphia magazine, the 30 year old Tucker was found at 1:05 AM EDT by police officers responding to reports of a shooting at 4300 Old York Road.

Upon arrival they found Tucker lying in the highway suffering from a gunshot would to the back. 
She was taken to Temple University Hospital where she succumbed from her injuries.

The initial police investigation revealed that Tucker had a brief argument with a person or persons in a black older model Ford pickup truck.   Gunshots were subsequently fired at Tucker after the verbal confrontation.   That black Ford truck had bonding on it and no tailgate, and the Philadelphia police are looking for the people in that truck. 

If you have any information concerning this latest murder, you are urged to call the Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit at 215- 686-3334   or 215-686-TIPS (8477)

Tucker unfortunately is now the 14th African American trans and gender nonconforming person killed due to anti-trans violence in the US in 2018 and the thirteenth Black trans feminine person.

What is even more distressing to me is that this is the third Black trans person we have lost in a week and as I write this, I'm hearing unconfirmed reports that we may have another one in New York..

What is also upsetting to me is that Shantee just recently celebrated her 30th birthday on September 2.

Her Black life mattered.   Her Black trans life mattered.  When are our Black legacy orgs going to stand up and speak out publicly about the slaughter of Black trans women and call for its end?

Still waiting for that public statement from you, NAACP.

As of yet, no word about any vigils planned for Shantee, and if I hear any news about them or I'm notified about it in time, I'll pass that info along.

Rest in power and peace, Shantee.  Your family and all who loved you will not rest until the wastes of DNA who committed this crime are caught, prosecuted and rotting in a jail cell.

#StopKillingUs  #StopKillingBlackTransWomen   Stop killing trans people, period