Last year, LGBTQ+ advocates tracked at least 26 deaths of transgender or gender non-conforming people in the U.S. due to fatal violence. The majority of those who tragically lost their lives were Black transgender women. Now, as communities across the U.S. rally against police brutality and institutionalized racism with more vigor than ever before, Americans are once again confronting the intertwined nature of race and gender discrimination.
It has long been the case that transgender women of color are disproportionately affected by violence. As protesters continue to demand justice for victims of police brutality such as George Perry Floyd Jr., and as a particularly somber Pride Month commences, activists are highlighting the important connection between racism and transphobia.
Black Lives Matter
Over the past week, the media has reported on the killings of two more Black trans women. Dominique “Rem’Mie” Fells, beloved by her community in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was found dead on June 8. Riah Milton, a 25-year-old home health aide, lost her life in Liberty Township, Ohio on June 9. These deaths, among others, have fueled thousands to show up for nationwide protests in support of Black trans people this week.
Protesters and activists continue to affirm the importance of advocating on behalf of all members of the Black community, including women, transgender people, and those who are gender non-conforming. As trans activist Deja Lynn Alvarez puts it: “While we’re talking about racism, while we’re talking about the changes that need to be [done] in this country, we need to talk about the hate towards trans people… particularly towards Black trans women.”
Glamour Boutique, as a longtime ally to the trans and gender non-conforming community, stands strongly in solidarity with the Black community. We mourn the losses of all those affected by hate and violence, and we join those seeking to create a world free of racism and transphobia.
Sources:
https://time.com/5853325/black-trans-women-killed-riah-milton-dominique-remmie-fells-trump/
https://www.hrc.org/resources/violence-against-the-trans-and-gender-non-conforming-community-in-2020