Often times people especially straight cisgender men/women try to ignore,suppress and police their stories and their worth in society by ostracizing them.But, the most gut-wrenching part of this issue is the disproportionate killing of black trans men and women for simply existing in their truth.
When did our minds get so closed off to the possibility of different,people who exist out of the box or the gender-binary of being male and female were wrong or needed to be treated.In 2020,alone there have been 14 unnecessary transgender and gender non-conforming deaths that should startle us and make us question that the boxes society creates where did they come from?Being ignorant and misinformed can be corrected.
POSE, RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE,LEGENDARY,DISCLOSURE and many more tv shows/films have opened up my horizon to the social construct of gender identity.Entertained,enthralled,memerzied,gob-smacked are some of the adjectives I would use to describe the colorful and sickening world of the different.
INSTEAD OF BEING IN THE UNKNOWN,INFORM AND EDUCATE.
And I can't begin to summarize the history of the gender-binary and where the boxes of identity started from and what was their purpose but please listen to the mind opening conversation between Alok Menon (https://www.alokvmenon.com/) and Jameela Jamil (https://iweighcommunity.com/) (her activism is mostly based on the online crusade for body positivity. In March 2018, she launched an Instagram account called I_Weigh, as 'a movement… for us to feel valuable and see how amazing we are, and look past the flesh on our bones on Stitcher for free.And the I_Weigh community is one that has taught me love&acceptance for all.
Most times in the reporting of anti-transgender violence, many of these victims are misgendered in local police statements and media reports, which can delay our awareness of deadly incidents. In the pursuit of greater accuracy and respect for transgender and gender non-conforming people in both life and death, HRC(HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN) offers guidelines for journalists and others who report on these communities.
Sadly, 2020 has already seen at least 14 transgender or gender non-conforming people fatally shot or killed by other violent means. We say at least because too often these stories go unreported -- or misreported.
As HRC continues to work toward justice and equality for transgender and gender non-conforming people, we mourn those we have lost:
Dustin Parker, 25, was fatally shot in McAlester, Oklahoma, early on New Year’s Day. His employers released a statement shortly after his death, remembering Parker as “a steadfast friend, an amazing husband and father and generous to a fault. He loved fiercely, worked tirelessly and took on life with so much hope and enthusiasm that his presence brightened all of our lives.”
Neulisa Luciano Ruiz, was fatally shot in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico on February 24. According to Metro Puerto Rico, members of her community knew her as "humble" and "noble."
Yampi Méndez Arocho, 19, was killed in Moca, Puerto Rico, on March 5. Arocho, a transgender man, shared his love for basketball and the NBA -- donning Miami Heat apparel on social media. The biography line on his Facebook reads simply, “Humility Prevails.”
Monika Diamond, 34, a Black transgender woman, was killed in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 18. Diamond was active in the Charlotte LGBTQ and nightlife community 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, 33, a transgender woman, was killed in Harlem, New York on March 28. According to reports, Lexi was fatally stabbed in Harlem River Park. “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.” Brooks also noted that Lexi loved poetry, makeup and fashion.
Johanna Metzger, a transgender woman, was killed in Baltimore, Maryland on April 11. According to reports, she was visiting a Baltimore recovery center from Pennsylvania at the time. Johanna was known for her love of music and taught herself to play multiple instruments.
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, New York, at the end of the month. Loved ones are mourning her death, calling her “full of life,” a “happy person,” and a “sincere friend.” On May 1, two men were charged under federal hate crimes law for Ramos's death.
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, 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, a Black transgender woman, was killed in Sikeston, Missouri, on May 3. She was deeply loved by her family, friends and community, according to her Facebook page.
Helle Jae O’Regan, 20, a transgender woman, was killed in San Antonio, Texas, on May 6. O’Regan was proud of her trans identity and on Twitter, she often spoke out against injustice, including the LGBTQ inequality, the prison industrial complex and the need to decriminalize sex work. Damion Terrell Campbell, 42, has been charged with O’Regan’s murder.
Tony McDade, a Black transgender man, was killed in Tallhassee, Florida, on May 27. His friends and family shared how he was an energetic, giving person with a big heart.
Dominique “Rem'mie” Fells, a Black transgender woman was killed in Philadelphia, Pennsyania, on June 9. One personal friend posted online, “Dom was a unique and beautiful soul who I am lucky to have known personally. I am beside myself right now. We need to fight!! We need to do more!!!! We will get justice.”
Riah Milton, a 25-year-old 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 trans phobic, misogynist and racist society.
Just to conclude this heavy subject,I would like to say in the words of RuPaul Charles(World Famous Drag Queen) :“If you can't love yourself how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?”.
Sources:
Information:
https://www.hrc.org/resources/violence-against-the-trans-and-gender-non-conforming-community-in-2020
Image Sources: