Dozens of mourners gather to honor A’nee Roberson, a Black trans woman killed in D.C.

Author: John Russell

On Wednesday, nearly 100 mourners gathered for a vigil in Washington, D.C. to honor A’nee Roberson, a 30-year-old Black trans woman who was killed earlier this month.

Executive director of D.C. Safe Havens Iya Dammons told NBC Washington that the organization is asking police and Mayor Muriel Bowser to “step up” and take crimes against Black trans women seriously.

That call was echoed at Wednesday’s vigil, where more than 20 people spoke to the crowd gathered on the sidewalk in front of Nellie’s Sports Bar, according to The Washington Blade.

Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood commissioner Vincent Slatt, a member of the ANC LGBTQ Rainbow Caucus, said the group was advocating for the city to address violence against the trans community more aggressively.

“We are all sick and tired of coming to these things to see justice done,” Japer Bowles, director of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, told the crowd. “We need to see justice done.” Bowles added that the city is “doing what we can” to end violence targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

Zachary Parker, the only out member of D.C.’s city council, expressed support for Roberson’s family on behalf of his fellow council members. “We are going to keep her spirit alive and bring her murderer to justice,” Parker vowed.

Dammons, who organized the vigil with Empowering the Transgender Community founder Earline Budd, led the crowd in chanting Roberson’s name.

Members of Roberson’s family were also present. Her father, Gary Roberson, told the crowd that he, his wife, and Roberson’s siblings all embraced and supported her, and he thanked those gathered for coming out.

“From this day forward, I am part of the LGBTQ community,” he said. “You have my support.”

According to the Human Rights Campaign, Roberson is the 12th Black trans woman and at least the 22nd transgender or gender non-conforming person to die by violence this year. She is also the second Black trans woman to be killed in D.C. this year, following the death of 30-year-old Skylar Harrison earlier this month.

“We must end the devaluation of trans lives that leads to disproportionate levels of violence and death,” director of community engagement for HRC’s Transgender Justice Initiative Tori Cooper said in a statement.

Actual Story on LGBTQ Nation
Author: John Russell