National Center for Transgender Equality

There is no easy way to say this, so we’ll just come right out -- our community is facing an epidemic of violent murders that has alarmingly increased in recent months, especially against transgender Black and Latina women. Now we passed a grim milestone. In the first seven months of 2020 alone, at least 28 transgender people were murdered. That is more than the known trans people murdered in all of 2019.

In 2019, an incomprehensible 26 of our trans family members were killed. And that’s only the murders that we know about. The actual toll is probably higher. With four more months ahead of us in 2020, already passing those losses leaves our hearts aching to think of how many more bright, loving trans people will be lost to violence before the year is out.

It is up to us to do everything we can to stop this violence-- educate the public, advocate for change in government, and lift the voices of the most marginalized to demand equality. Stemming the violence against transgender people requires so many radical changes: increased access to safe, affordable housing, policies that protect transgender people from discrimination and increase economic opportunity, the decriminalization of sex work, ending cash bail, and more.

It is also our responsibility to remember those we have lost. Each of their stories are important. Twenty-three of the beautiful people lost were transgender women, four were transgender men, and one was non-binary. Each had dreams, goals, and plans. Each had friends and family who loved them, endless aspirations, and unmet potential. Our whole community is diminished because of their loss.

This epidemic of violence is particularly pronounced for Black and Latina trans women who are marginalized, stigmatized, and criminalized in our country. They face violence every day, and they fear turning to the police for help. This crisis demands change to transform policing and hold police departments accountable for their failure to protect transgender people. But reforms must go even 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.

In this moment, we must remember the victims of these violent attacks, honor their memories and demand justice.

Dustin Parker, McAlester, OK
Alexa Neulisa Luciano Ruiz, Toa Baja, Puerto Rico
Yampi Méndez Arocho, Moca, Puerto Rico
Monica Diamond, Charlotte, NC
Lexi, New York, NY
Johanna Metzger, Baltimore, MD
Penélope Díaz Ramírez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Layla Pelaez Sánchez, Humacao, Puerto Rico
Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos, Humacao, Puerto Rico
Nina Pop, Sikeston, MO
Helle Jae O’Regan, San Antonio, TX
Tony McDade, Tallahassee, FL
Dominique "Rem'mie" Fells, Philadelphia, PA
Riah Milton, Liberty Township, OH
Jayne Thompson, Mesa County, CO
Selena Reyes Hernandez, Chicago, IL
Brayla Stone, Sherwood, AR
Merci Mack, Dallas, TX
Shaki Peters, Amite City, LA
Bree “Nuk” Black, Pompano Beach, FL
Summer Taylor, Seattle, WA
Draya McCarty, Baton Rouge, LA
Tatiana Hall, Philadelphia, PA
Marilyn Cazares, Brawley, CA
Tiffany Harris, The Bronx, NY
Quesha D. Hardy, Baton Rouge, LA
Brian "Egypt" Powers, Akron, OH
Aja Raquell Rhone-Spears, Portland, OR