My heart aches when I find out that another trans life was lost due to violence and transphobia. In 2017 alone, around 29 deaths were recorded for trans lives in the United States. Although it may seem like a low number there needs to be consideration for the fact that trans people make up around 1% of the adult population and the fact that there are many deaths that was not recorded in that year.
So far in 2018, about 22 transgender people were shot or killed. Some might say that this year has been the most violent year yet for transgender people. There is also a noticeable trend that black trans women are being targeted for murder.
Here is a list of some of the trans lives that were killed this year alone
Christa Leigh Steele-Knudslien
(photo via Facebook)
42, was adored by her community and was a leader in the Miss Trans New England pageant. She was found dead in her own home early this year.
Viccky Gutierrez
(photo via Huffington Post)
33, a Latinx transgender women who lived in Los Angeles. Gutierrez was brutally stabbed, and her body was set on fire inside her house on January 5.
Celine Walker
(photo via NBC News)
36, was shot in a hotel room in Jacksonville Florida on February 4th.
Zakaria Fry
(photo via KOB.com)
28, went missing around mid-January in New Mexico. On February 19th. Her body was later discovered about 40 miles outside of the Albuquerque area. Charles Spiess was charged for her murder.
Phylicia Mitchell
(photo via Mic)
45, was fatally shot outside her home in Cleveland Ohio on February 23rd. Gary Sanders was charged for her murder. Her partner, Shane Mitchell described her as “funny and kind” and the people around her loved her.
I want justice for trans people. I want justice for the trans people whose bodies have yet to be discovered. I hope that the people who have killed trans people get caught for their actions.I hope that someday we can reach a place in society that trans people are humanized.In the meantime, I’ll be saying their name.