Mia Mason Making Historic Maryland Congressional Run!

It's been a while since we've had a trans person elected to their national legislature.   In fact there have been only six trans people on the entire planet,  Georgina Beyer (New Zealand), Vladimir Luxuria (Italy), Anna Grodzka (Poland), Michelle Suarez Bertora (Uruguay), Tamara Adrian (Venezuela), and Geraldine Roman (Philippines) who have accomplished the herculean task of being elected to their national legislatures.

Adrian and Roman are the only ones still serving in their national legislatures.

Of the trans people elected to serve in their national legislatures, none of those have occurred in North American nations, despite various attempts in various North American countries to break through that political glass reinforced by concrete ceiling in the US, Canada, Mexico, and several Central American nations..

Mia Mason is the latest person to step up and attempt the daunting challenge of running for Congress while trans.   She won the June 2  Democratic primary in Maryland's 1st District to earn her shot at making trans political history.

Maryland's 1st District covers the entire Eastern Shore of Maryland, and parts of Baltimore, Harford and Carroll counties.    It is currently represented by Republican Andy Harris, who has represented the district since 2010 and is considered the third most anti-LGBTQ legislator in the US Congress,

He gotta go, and it would deliciously be nice if the first out trans congressmember replaced him. 

Mia is a veteran who served 20 years in the Navy, Army and DC National Guard, and since her retirement from the military has worked for various advocacy groups.   She was also a speaker at the 2018 Women's March.

Now she's trying to knock off an incumbent congressmember and make history as she does so.  But she's going to need money to make that happen.   Here's the link to her campaign website in order to make beating Andy Harris a reality and making the conservafools cry on November 3 as they lose another House seat. 

Good luck Mia, and hope I have some good news to report about your race on November 3.

Number 17- Rest In Power Bailey Reeves

The calendar page just turned to September, and once again I'm having to write about another Black trans woman being murdered.   This time we travel to Baltimore to talk about our latest person  we have lost to anti trans violence.

17 year old Bailey Reeves was attending a party on Labor Day n the 4300 block of Parkwood Avenue in North Baltimore.  As she left the event around 8:05 PM EDT  several gunshots rang out and struck Reeves.   Five kids were witnessed by neighbors running away from the scene as Reeves was lying in the middle of the street in a pool of blood.

Reeves later succumbed to the gunshot wounds after being taken to a local hospital 

Now for the grim stats.   Reeves is not only the 17th person we have lost to anti-trans violence in the US in 2019, she is the youngest person we have lost this year.

And yes, it continues the aggravating pattern of the victims being overwhelmingly Black trans women.   Out of the 16 Black trans women we have lost this year, 13 are under age 30.

If you are in the Baltimore area and have any information that will solve this case, you are urged to call detectives at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP (756-2587)

Number 10- Rest In Power and Peace Zoe Spears

These posts are coming so fast an furiously these days it's taking me time to just get caught up writing them.

We head back to the Washington DC area, specifically the same Fairmount Heights, MD suburb where Ashanti Carmon was killed to report on the latest trans woman taken from us way too soon.

23 year old Washington DC resident Zoe Spears was found shot to death from a gunshot wound just after midnight EDT in June 13.  Spears was declared dead at the scene by first responders, and her body was found less than half a mile from where Carmon's was found.

Spears is now the tenth American trans woman we have lost to anti-trans violence.   All the known American trans deaths so far in 2019 have been African American.   She is also the seventh under age 30 to die this year.

No word yet if there is a person of interest in this case.

As of yet no word concerning a memorial service or funeral planned, and I will pass that info along when I receive it. 

Rest in power and peace, Zoe.. 

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 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.

Not Down With Endorsing Chelsea Manning's Run For US Senate

I have been saying for years that trans people need to run for office, and many have answered that call.   In the 2017 cycle we even had several get elected to the Virginia General Assembly, two to the Minneapolis City council, and several others to city councils and a school board across the country.

In my home state of Texas in this 2018 cycle we now have five trans people running for office.  Four are running for the Texas state legislature, and one is running for Congress.

Kim Coco Iwamoto is now running for the Hawaii lieutenant governor's chair.

And sadly, we also have a barely out of federal prison for violations of the Espionage Act Chelsea Manning now deciding she wants to run for office. 

She's primary challenging current US Senator. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland).  Really?   A sitting senator who is a longtime friend to our community in that chamber? 

How do I know that?  When I was lobbying on Capitol Hill back in the late 90's, he was one of the representatives at that time who was ahead of the curve when it came to trans rights issues.

Cardin was also one of the congress members who gave me and other trans advocates participating in the 1999 GenderPac Lobby Day a warning about the backlobbying that had been done to us on Capitol Hill.

While I'm always down for qualified trans people running for office, and it really makes my day when trans people run and win, I'm not ride or die with this Senate race for a few reasons.

*Chelsea is a polarizing figure inside and outside the trans community.  You either think she's a hero or a traitor.  (I lean in the traitor direction)

*She has little chance of beating Ben Cardin 

*Trans vets have a massive dislike of her because they believe her actions almost screwed with our fight to get open trans military service in the US.  Some trans vets I've talked to about her also believe she brought dishonor to the up until that point sterling service reputation of transgender troops in our military

*Senators have access to classified data, and Chelsea, would not be trusted with it after being convicted of handing over nearly 750,000 documents to RussiaLeaks.

And if you think I'm kidding about what the trans vets think about her, here's Shane Ortega's thoughts about Chelsea Manning.

***

WTF 2018, Chelsea Manning cannot be elected to the US Senate! 

It simply boils down to she is not qualified nor mature and tactically patient enough to lead. She has already had the opportunity to serve the nation and failed.

What is that example?   That example of failed leadership is being the poor way in which she chose to be a whistle blower.  She could have used discretion or the chain of command in releasing and reporting her findings and she chose not to do that.  She was held accountable by UCMJ (Universal Court of Military Justice) for that.

Truly loyal service members respect the integrity of the UCMJ and chain of command. They would never release 700,000* classified documents to Wikileaks. They would go to an official news company as they have practice in releasing this type of information.

That did not happen, and because it didn't. Marines and Navy Seals were killed because of it and documents she released were found in the cave with Osama bin Laden. 

Her crime was not being transgender or positive intentions to reveal the the truth. It is the manner and fact of the deplorable zealous way that it was enacted. 

Furthermore her behavior surrounding her gender while imprisoned was also not up to standard.

She used that as an excuse for her behavior and has truly benefited off her white privilege.   No other transgender women who were incarcerated have walked away with $100,000 donated dollars and a book deal pushed by non-profit organizations.

***

Curious as to who put the bug in her ear to primary challenge Cardin.  He was an enthusiastic supporter of  Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic primary, and she overwhelmingly won in Maryland by a 62.5%-33.8% margin.  Cardin has also been a huge critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin

That's one of many questions she needs to answer.  Even if she does, it's not going to change my mind about the fact that I can't support or endorse her in this race.

Because Manning was convicted of an Espionage Act violation, and only had her sentence commuted by President Obama, it's highly unlikely she'd get another clearance.

That means Maryland Dems toying with the idea of voting for her, without that crucial security clearance, she would not be able to see classified documents or sit in briefings, meetings or Senate committee hearings in which classified information is presented.

And no, she hasn't put in the work or time in this community to think she can represent us at the federal level.

Justice Being Served In Keyonna Blakeney Case

In the latest update in the Keyonna Blakeney murder case, .22 year old Keith Renier was found guilty of second degree murder and was sentenced by Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Marielsa Bernard to the maximum 30 year sentence in this case.  

The then 21 year old Renier fatally stabbed 22 year old Blakeney at a Red Roof Inn off Shady Grove Road in Rockville, MD back on April 16, 2016.


Five days before the encounter with Blakeney, Renier had pleaded guilty to pulling a knife on a Washington Metro subway platform in a case involving a simple assault and weapons charge and was awaiting sentencing.

On April 25 he was sentenced in that District case to probation and ordered to take anger management classes.  

According to court documents and a confidential informant's testimony to detectives in the case, Renier arrived at the Red Roof Inn along with a second suspect via an Uber paid for by Blakeney.
The second suspect arranged a false pretenses date with Blakeney with the intention of robbing her with Renier's help. The second suspect knew Blakeney and one of his relatives had dated her.

The room where Blakeney was found dead of multiple stab wounds was ransacked.

One down, one to go in the Blakeney case.   It's not life in prison, but Renier will be getting 30 years for killing our sister.  

Rest In Power and Peace, Alphonza

We have now lost eight trans women in 2017 to anti- trans violence.  Seven of them have been African American trans women.

The latest murder happened in Baltimore, MD  yesterday morning, and the person we will be saying her name is 38 year old Alphonza Watson.

Watson grew up in Washington DC, but moved to Baltimore 10-15 years ago.

She was found at 4:15 AM by police officers suffering from a gunshot wound to the stomach in the 2400 block of Guilford Ave ion the north side of Baltimore.  She was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital where she died from her wounds several hours later.

Baltimore Police media relations chief TJ Smith stated that witnesses reported an argument between Watson and two men took place before the gunshots happened.   Those witnesses reported that immediately after the gunshots two men were spotted running  and getting into a dark colored vehicle before speeding away from the scene.

Baltimore has been a particular deadly city for trans women.  Since 2005 there have been 14 murders involving trans women, with Crystal Edmonds being the last person killed.

Edmonds case is still open, but the others according to Baltimore PD have been closed.

I'm also refusing to use  the mugshot that has been plastered all over Baltimore media out of respect for the deceased.  If someone who knows her has a nicer photo of our deceased sister, please send it to me so I can then share it with the media,

If you have information that will bring her killers to justice, you are urged to call the Baltimore Police Department at 410-396-2100, text a tip at 443-902-4824 or call Metro Crime Stoppers at 866-7LOCKUP  (866-756 -2587).

Rest in power and peace, sis.   The community will not rest until the people who did this are caught and justice is served.

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.

RIP Crystal Edmonds

It's my sad duty to report we've lost another sister in 2016 to senseless anti-trans violence

32 year old Crystal Edmonds was shot in the back of the head early Friday morning at approximately 3:00 AM in the 3600 block of Fairview Avenue in northwest Baltimore.

Edmonds. who is a resident of southwest Baltimore, was taken to a nearby hospital, where she died five hours later.

Edmonds is now the 21st trans person killed in the US this year, which sadly equals last year's total

If you live in the area, a $2000 reward is being offered for any information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the waste of DNA who killed our sister, you are urged to call police at 410-396-2100, Metro Crime Stoppers at 866-7LOCKUP or text a tip to 413-902-4824.

Will be keeping an eye on this case until Crystal's killer is arrested . convicted, and rotting in jail. If there is any information concerning a vigil or memorial service for Crystal, I'll pass that along as well. .

Rest in power and peace, Crystal.

Two Arrests Made In Keyonna Blakeney Case

Good news to report in the case concerning our departed sister Keyonna Blakeney, who was found on April 16 beaten and stabbed to death in a Rockville, MD hotel room days after celebrating her birthday.  

 Two arrests have been made in the case.  Montgomery County. MD police with the assistance of US Marshals have arrested 21 year old Keith Christopher Renier and 17 year old juvenile Arbra Arnie Bethea in SE Washington DC yesterday and charged both of them with first degree murder..  

Bethea has been charged (and rightly so) as an adult in this case, but because he is a juvenile, a photo of him was not released to the media.  Renier and Bethea are also facing charges of armed robbery, conspiracy to commit first degree murder and conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Both are being held in the custody of the district of Columbia Department of Corrections and are both awaiting extradition to Montgomery County, MD.

Stay tuned to these TransGriot electronic pages to get more information about this ongoing Blakeney case as I receive it.  Let's also hope and pray that justice is properly served.

Rep. Donna Edwards Fighting To Win A US Senate Seat

One of the races that will be eagerly watched tomorrow besides the presidential contests in the fierce Democratic primary battle in Maryland for the US Senate seat of retiring Senator Barbara Mikulski (D).

It pits Rep Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Donna Edwards against each other in the race to succeed the longest serving woman senator.   The other thing happening in this race is that Rep. Edwards is seeking to become only the second Black female US senator ever elected and the first since Carol Moseley Braun was elected to represent Illinois in 1992, but lost her reelction bid six years later...

This US Senate primary race is also high stakes because in heavily Democratic Maryland, winning the primary makes you the odds on favorite to win the general election on November 8.

While Van Hollen has outraised her 10-1 and has his supporters on Capitol Hill, EMILY's List has backed her.  Turns out Mikulski was the first female candidate the group backed when it was founded, and they would love to see the retiring five term senator replace by another woman.

Black female lawmakers are adamant about having one of their own among the ranks of the 20 women who are currently holding US Senate seats.   California Attorney General Kamala Harris is also running for the Us Senate to replace Sen. Barbara Boxer (D), who is also retiring this year.

 "To hell with the aspirations of centuries of people in Maryland, a place where Harriet Tubman came from," said Democratic Rep. Gwen Moore of Wisconsin, an Edwards backer in the Congressional Black Caucus, bridling at Democratic establishment support for Van Hollen. "To hell with that. I mean, he looks like a senator."


"I can tell you that it matters, and it matters a lot, for women to be elected to Congress,"  Rep. Moore added, noting that no Black woman has served in the Senate since Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois lost her re-election bid more than 15 years ago. "There's nobody who's an African-American woman in there at all."

Edwards is determined to be that Black woman serving in the US Senate and making some history in the process, but step one of that process is winning the primary on Tuesday.   

So hope she makes it happen.

Moni's in the #LGBT16 Media Journalists Convening House!

After getting up at 5 AM Houston time to start a several hour travel day, I've finally arrived in the eastern time zone and Charm City, AKA Baltimore for the 7th annual LGBT Media Journalists Convening.

It wasn't a non-stop darn it, so I had to go through Pittsburgh before I got here, but as long as I got the frequent flyer miles for it and arrived here in one piece with all my luggage, than everything is okay.

At the moment I'm attending the opening #LGBTMedia16 reception, and the keynote speech is going on the American Visionary Arts Museum as you peruse this post.

They usually keep the keynoter a surprise, and last year it was the Rev. Dr William Barber II.   Should be interesting to discover who it is this year.

The main business day is tomorrow, and after we get back from the reception, I'm hanging out for a little while and then taking my behind to bed because I will have a long day tomorrow.

Countdown To The 2016 LGBT Media Journalists Conveming

One month from now, I'll be up in Baltimore attending the 7th annual LGBT Media Journalists Convening with many of the top LGBT journalists in the country.

It's sponsored by the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr Fund and the NLGJA, and the purpose of it is to build and diversify LGBT media capacity, help us get better versed in writing and talking about the issues germane to our LGBT community and foster improved working relationships between those of us involved in LGBT media.

This will be my fourth one. The first LGBT media event for me was the 2013 Philadelphia one after inexplicably missing the one that was in my Houston backyard in 2012.  I was in the house for the Washington DC edition in 2014 and last year's return to Philly.

This 2016 edition of the convening will take place March 18-20.  Once again I'll be in the house hanging out with my fellow journalists, getting my learn on during our all day panel sessions on Saturday, and enjoying the opening reception with our yet to be revealed #LGBTMedia16 keynote speaker.

Last year we had the honor of hearing and I had the honor of getting reacquainted with the Rev Dr. William Barber.  I'd met him in Louisville at our Unity Dinner back in 2005, which he remembered when I got to chat with him after his speech was concluded.

I also got to ask him a question during the post keynote Q&A about where the national NAACP stands when it comes to standing up for the human rights of trans people.

It's one in the wake of the unjust anti-trans legislation being passed in South Dakota that cries out to be asked again.

I also enjoyed that moment in which the trans feminine contingent of the LGBT Journalists Convening took that group photo in front of what was once known as Dewey's Lunch Counter a few weeks before the 50th anniversary of the April-May 1965 trans human rights sit in and protest that took place there. .

I also enjoyed the first ever LGBT women's journalists meeting we had Saturday night coordinated by Trish Bendix and cutting up with birthday girl Faith Cheltenham, Berlin Sylvestre in the hotel lobby after I'd polished off a cheesesteak that wasn't from Pat's or Geno's.

Hope we have another one of those LGBT Women's Journalist meetings planned for the Baltimore event because I learned so much in that multi-generational conversation last year.

Looking forward to seeing who our keynote will be for this year's event, who is coming for this year's edition of the LGBT Media Journalists Convening, and tearing into some crab cakes..

And hopefully we'll have some nice weather for it as well.

Arrest Made In Zella Ziona Smith Case

That was quick!  Montgomery County,MD police have announce they have made an arrest in the Zella Ziona Smith murder case..

20 year old Rico Hector Leblond of Germantown was arrested and charged with first degree murder in the Zella Ziona Smith case.   She was shot in the head Thursday at 5:49 PM during an altercation between herself and Leblond while in a service alley between the Montgomery Village Plaza and Montgomery Village Crossing and died at 8:12 PM at a nearby hospital.

Police said that Ziona and Leblond knew each other and had 'some degree of friendship' prior to her murder. Her death was ruled a homicide by the Montgomery County Office of the Chief Medical Examiner

Leblond is being held without bond, and has a Monday bond review scheduled in Rockville, MD at 1;00 PM.

Will be keeping an eye on this case to see if justice is served in it.  

Number 22- Another Trans Person Killed In Maryland

According to the Metro Weekly, another young trans woman has been murdered, this time in Gaithersburg, MD.

And as you probably guessed, the person was subsequently misgendered by FOX5 stenographers

21 year old D. Smith (not using the deadname) was shot in the head yesterday at 5:49 PM during an altercation between herself and the shooter near the intersection of Lost Knife Rd and Contour Rd near the Montgomery Village Plaza and Montgomery Village Crossing shopping centers.

An eyewitness to the crime told FOX5 that he saw the shooter standing over Ms. Smith and firing.  He attempted to chase down the shooter, who reloaded and attempted to shoot him but the gun fortuitously jammed.    A Montgomery County police helicopter and K-9 units were called in to assist in the search for the perpetrator but have been unsuccessful in locating him so far.

Smith was transported to a nearby hospital where she died from her injuries at 8:12 PM EDT..

This makes the 22nd trans person killed in what is unfortunately shaping up to be a potentially record breaking year for anti-trans murders   And once again I'm not happy this person will not make it to their 30th, much less their 25th birthday.

This is still a developing news situation that has been complicated further by the transphobic misgendering of Ms. Smith by DC media,  

If anyone in the DC metro area has photos of Ms. Smith or knows her femme name, please get that info to me as soon as possible.

Rest in power, Zella.   We won't rest until the perp who took you away from us far too soon is captured and doing time for his crime

TransGriot Update: Was just advised by Elizabeth Rivera moments after completing this post that our murdered trans person's femme name was Zella Ziona.

This also means we have lost another trans woman of color

Mia Henderson Case Update

Thanks to Jen Fischetti, I have been advised that the Baltimore PD has solved the case involving our departed sister Mia Henderson.

You may recall that the 26 year old Henderson's lifeless body was found in an alley near the 3400 block of Piedmont Ave in the Hanlon-Longmont neighborhood back on July 16, 2014.

On August 6, the Baltimore PD announced they were filing murder charges against Shawn Oliver, who is currently incarcerated at a state penal facility in Hagerstown, MD on an unrelated conviction.

Turns out that Oliver was attempting to rob Henderson, and she fought him before she was killed   That fight led to the discovery of DNA evidence under Mia's fingernails.

Of course, her family is pleased with the new developments in this case along with the Baltimore area trans community..  Stay tuned to these TransGriot electronic pages to see if Henderson gets justice in this case and Oliver gets to do some additional time in the Hagerstown Iron Bar Motel.

Another Transwoman Killed In Baltimore

Received the sad news today another transwoman was killed in Baltimore

The body of 26 year old Mia Henderson was found in an northwest Baltimore alley at 5:57 AM EDT.  Police officers from the Baltimore-area Warrant Apprehension Task Force spread out into an alley in the 3400 block of Piedmont Ave. in the Hanlon-Longwood neighborhood near Lake Ashburton attempting to serve a warrant in an unrelated case when Henderson's body was found. 

Henderson's body according to police had suffered 'severe trauma'.    Police say that the murder of Henderson bore strong similarities to the Hall one, but declined in today's press conference held at 4:15 EDT to definitively state because they are active investigations whether the murders are connected beyond the fact both were trans women




Here's hoping that the waste or wastes of DNA involved in this latest murder of one of our sisters is expeditiously caught and brought to justice.  
.

KOKUMO Is Missing!

Just got the alert from one of my BTMI brothers that KOKUMO is missing.   The Chicago based artist was in the Baltimore area and was last seen on Thursday at her hotel.

She was staying at the Motel 6 at 110 W. North Ave. in Baltimore and was reported appearing confused.

Of course the Baltimore area trans community, all who love her and I are obviously quite concerned for our sister's safety, and the BTMI chapter in the area is helping coordinate the search for her.   She is full figured and approximately 5'11-6' tall.

If you Baltimore are peeps have any information concerning her whereabouts or spot her, please call BTMI at 1-855-.255-8636 ext 51

If I have any further information on this situation I'll pass it along as quickly as I receive it.


TransGriot Update:  She was found on Saturday morning..

RIP Kandy Hall

I've been able to avoid doing this for six months.   But unfortunately the odds were good that one of our transsisters was going to be killed somewhere in this country before the year was out.

The first trans person murdered this year in the United States (unless I missed one somewhere) took place in Baltimore, MD on Tuesday.   

The person who was killed was 40 year old Kandy Hall.   Her body was found Tuesday in a field on Fillmore Street near a post office and school in northeast Baltimore. 

A reward is now being offered for information that leads to an arrest in Hall’s murder.

Last year 29 year old Kelly Young was found dead in east Baltimore, and unfortunately her killer has yet to be brought to justice.   

But back to discussing Kandy.  So far people have been unable to contact relatives to notify them of her death.  I'll be in contact with my Baltimore area folks who will keep me updated on any news related to this case  or any memorial services planned.

Also looking for pics of Kandy if anyone in the Baltimore area has them. 

Rest in power Kandy.   Your transfamily will not rest until justice is served in your case.