life
In Memoriam: 2020
Year Sees Record-Breaking Deaths in Transgender Community BY Lainey Millen | QNotes Staff Writer
I
n what has been described as the most-deadly on record, over 40 transgender and gender non-conforming individuals lost their lives to acts of violence thus far in 2020. The climate being espoused from the White House, Conservative groups and individuals that is present today is one that is rife with hatred, malice and more. This is especially noticeable toward those who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming. The 2020 year is not yet over, and qnotes knows, unfortunately, that the numbers will continue to rise. On Nov. 20, the world observes the Transgender Day of Remembrance. The annual memorial “seeks to highlight the losses we face due to anti-transgender bigotry and violence,” remarked Gwendolyn Ann Smith, founder of Transgender Day of Remembrance. “I am no stranger to the need to fight for our rights, and the right to simply exist is first and foremost. With so many seeking to erase transgender people — sometimes in the most brutal ways possible — it is vitally important that those we lose are remembered, and that we continue to fight for justice.” The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), who has compiled the growing list of those lost since 2013, shared, “These victims were killed by acquaintances, partners or strang-
ers, some of whom have been arrested and charged, while others have yet to be identified. Some of these cases involve clear anti-transgender bias. In others, the victim’s transgender status may have put them at risk in other ways, such as forcing them into unemployment, poverty, homelessness and/or survival sex work. “While the details of these cases differ, it is clear that fatal violence disproportionately affects transgender women of color — particularly Black transgender women — and that the intersections of racism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and unchecked access to guns conspire to deprive them of employment, housing, healthcare and other necessities.” PFLAG National and the Transgender Day of Remembrance “Trans Lives Matter” site also provided additional listing of transgender deaths for 2020. PFLAG shared, “As PFLAGers — as human beings — it is imperative that we boldly, loudly, and publicly honor those we have lost to antitrans violence and hate, and speak out against violence anywhere we see it. … Simultaneously, as we honor those we have lost, we must use this as an opportunity to strongly recommit to trans inclusion at all levels of our work, providing support to people who are trans and gender expansive and to their
families and friends; providing education to those who still lack the understanding necessary to be good allies; and advocating for protections at all levels of government … There has been so much harm done, and we have an opportunity to help end that harm. We advocate for getting out the vote in the upcoming election, and keeping in mind voting for legislators who will work to protect and support our trans loved ones.” In addition to the horrors of death, some of the victims are misgendered in police statements and through other outlets, adding to the pain of loss. Also, some of the victims’ deaths were not reported and classified as uncategorised and could have been considered suspicious. “This crisis demands change to improve policing and hold the police departments accountable for their failure to protect transgender people. But reforms must go further to disrupt the systemic racism and transphobia that push so many transgender people of color into vulnerable situations, shut out of stable housing, secure jobs and loving homes. No one should be forced to live in fear,” said National Center for Transgender Equality Deputy Executive Director Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen. It is with deep sorrow that the following individuals are honored.
Dustin Parker Dustin Parker, 25, was fatally shot in McAlester, Okla. early on New Year’s Day. His employers released a statement remembering Parker saying, “He loved fiercely, worked tirelessly and took on life with so much hope and enthusiasm that his presence brightened all of our lives.”
Ashley Moore Ashley Moore, 26, was found dead on April 1 with unexplained and serious injuries outside a Newark, N.J. YMCA. Her body was cremated without an autopsy. Four months later, police finally started to investigate her death.
was deeply loved by her family, friends and community, according to her Facebook page.
Neulisa Luciano Ruiz Neulisa Luciano Ruiz was fatally shot in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico on Feb. 24. According to Metro Puerto Rico, members of her community knew her as “humble” and “noble.” John Scott Devore/Scottlyn Kelly Devore John Scott Devore/Scottlyn Kelly Devore, 51, was reportedly genderfluid. They went missing on March 12 in Augusta, Ga. A suspect was charged with murder on March 20. A body was found on March 30, but was not identified nor confirmed. Yampi Méndez Arocho Yampi Méndez Arocho, 19, was killed in Moca, Puerto Rico, on March 5. A transgender man, Arocho shared his love for basketball and the NBA, wearing Miami Heat apparel on social media. The biography line on his Facebook reads simply, “Humility Prevails.” Monica Diamond Monica Diamond, 34, a Black transgender woman, was killed in Charlotte, N.C. on March 18. Diamond was active in the Charlotte LGBTQ and nightlife communities and was the co-owner of an event promotion company. She also was the co-CEO of the International Mother of the Year Pageantry System — a pageant that honors LGBTQ mothers. Lexi “Ebony” Sutton Lexi “Ebony” Sutton, 33, a transgender woman, was fatally stabbed in Harlem River Park in Harlem, N.Y. on March 28. “I really looked up to her because of her tolerance and respect,” said Lavonia Brooks, a friend of Lexi. “Lexi had a beautiful heart, she was very gifted.”
10
qnotes
Oct. 30-Nov. 12, 2020
Johanna Metzger Johanna Metzger, a transgender woman, was killed in Baltimore, Md. on April 11. According to reports, she was visiting a Baltimore recovery center from Pennsylvania at the time. Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos, 32, was killed in Puerto Rico on April 21. Ramos was killed alongside Layla Pelaez Sánchez, 21. According to reports, Ramos was visiting the island on vacation, and was set to return to her home in Queens, N.Y., at the end of the month. On May 1, two men were charged under federal hate crimes law for Ramos’ death. Layla Pelaez Sánchez Layla Pelaez Sánchez, 21, was killed in Puerto Rico on April 21. Sánchez was killed alongside Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos. According to reports, Sánchez had recently moved to the island, and was living in the Tejas neighborhood in Las Piedras. On May 1, two Puerto Rican men were charged under federal hate crimes law for Sánchez’s death. Penélope Díaz Ramírez Penélope Díaz Ramírez, a transgender woman, was killed in Puerto Rico on April 13. “Penélope did not deserve to die. Transgender people do not deserve to die. Every single advocate, ally, elected official and community member must stand up in light of this horrific news and say ‘No more.’ What we are doing is not enough,” said Tori Cooper, HRC director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative. Nina Pop Nina Pop, a Black transgender woman, was killed in Sikeston, Mo. on May 3. She
Helle Jae O’Regan Helle Jae O’Regan, 20, a transgender woman, was killed in San Antonio, Texas, on May 6. O’Regan often spoke out on Twitter against injustice, including LGBTQ inequality, the prison industrial complex and the need to decriminalize sex work. Damion Terrell Campbell, 42, was charged with O’Regan’s murder. Jayne Thompson Jayne Thompson, 33, a white transgender woman, was shot and killed by a police officer on May 9 in Orchard Mesa, Colo. during what appeared to have been a mental health crisis. and was misgendered in initial news reports. No charges were filed against the officer concerned. Tony McDade Tony McDade, 38, a Black transgender man, was killed in Tallahassee, Fla. on May 27. His friends and family shared how he was an energetic, giving person with a big heart. Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells, 27, a Black transgender woman, was killed in Philadelphia, Pa. on June 9. One personal friend posted online, “Dom was a unique and beautiful soul who I am lucky to have known personally … We need to fight!! We need to do more!!!! We will get justice.” Riah Milton Riah Milton, 25, a Black transgender woman, was killed in Liberty Township, Ohio on June 9. In March, she posted the status “Never been scared to struggle. Imma get it eventually” — a comment highlighting her resilience and optimism as a person facing a transphobic, misogynist and racist society. Photo Credits and Resources: Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, Transgender Day of Remembrance, PFLAG National, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, them.us, pcion.conepop.com.br and others see next page u
