Today is the 14th Annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance, which hopes to raise awareness to an escalating trend of anti-transgender violence and hate crimes. Events marking TDoR are happening across the globe.
The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs reports the loss of at least 19 transgender and/or gender non-conforming men and women so far this year in the United States. Those include Brandi Martell, seen above, who was killed last April in Oakland.
Transgender women made up 40% of the 30 reported hate murders in 2011, while representing only 10% of total hate violence survivors and victims. Transgender people were more likely to experience severe forms of hate violence, police violence (1.67 times as likely), and hate-motivated sexual violence. Transgender people were also 1.76 times as likely to require medical attention and were 1.58 times as likely to experience injuries as non-transgender people. In addition, transgender people were less likely to have a hate crime classification.
"We lost over 175 people this year around the world to anti-trans violence. Far too many of them were Black and Latina," notes Houston-based transgender advocate Monica Roberts.
Brandy Martell was one of at least four Black trans women killed in April 2012. Martell was gunned down only one block from Oakland's City Hall on April 29. There have been no arrests. Twenty-three-year-old Paige Clay was killed around April 16th in Chicago. There have been no arrests or suspects. Detroit police are also searching for the killer(s) of 35-year-old Coko Williams, who was found slain in late March.
Numerous studies have shown that Black and Latina trans women are at the greatest risk of violence and the murders of Black transgender women are often unsolved. Black trans women face "extreme discrimination and poverty", and are more than likely to suffer from violence, physical or sexual abuse, police brutality, HIV/AIDS and bullying, according to a first of its kind survey conducted by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Black Justice Coalition.
At least 265 transgender men and women were killed in 2012, reports TGEU. Since January 2008 the murders of 1083 trans people have been reported. The reported numbers are likely only a fraction of those who have been killed.
Transgender people are incredibly brave. You have to be brave when you risk your life everyday of your life...for just coming out the front door.
And it's not just those Transgender folk who've made the full transition (whether by surgery or just appearance). It is those of us who are simply gender role non-conforming who are also targets.
It seems it was easier to be "different" in the 70s than it's been the last 20 years. I've argued with people about that before on this blog, but I believe it. The hatred seemed to get worse during the late 1980s into the 90s.
Yes, it's rough, but slowly--ever so slowly attitudes will improve...they will.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 20 November 2012 at 15:02
I live on the San Francisco side of the Bay, across from Oakland, where this horrendous---and yet-to-be-solved---murder took place. It pained me then and the pain still has not subsided, several months later.
As a same gender-loving African-American male I see myself in my trans sisters---especially those who share my racial/ethnic background---and often wonder out loud: When, oh, WHEN, will this hatred against OUR people end? I say "our" people because, I once defined myself as trans, although not openly, but decided not to do anything "physical" to support any type of body change. But my heart feelings remain the same...
Anyway, thanks for posting this, Rod. As I always say you're the best thing we same gender-loving African-descended males have got going for us on the entire Internet!
(I'll be holding a candle tonight for Brandy @ the San Francisco TDOR Service as I DEEPLY pray for her soul and so many other trans sisters who have been exterminated solely for-----breathing).
Posted by: John | 20 November 2012 at 18:55