Rubi Dominguez Killed in Texas; 54th Trans Killing in 2021

Author: Trudy Ring

The violent death of another transgender American in 2021 has come to light, bringing the year’s record total of such deaths to at least 54.

Rubi Dominguez, a Latina trans woman, was killed in a hit-and-run accident July 16 in Arlington, Texas. Her trans identity was initially reported by TransGriot, as some other media had deadnamed and misgendered her.

Her sister Monica described Rubi as “a happy, social, humorous person” who “made people laugh.” Appearing on Telemundo, Monica called for justice and appealed to the driver to come forward. “Make yourself responsible because it has caused great pain in my family, both emotionally and psychologically,” she said. “It’s something irreparable.”

The car that hit Rubi was orange and may have been a Mitsubishi Mirage, Arlington police said. They have asked that anyone with information contact crash investigator S.Bridges at (817) 575-8602 or Sgt. J. Brown at (817) 575-8815. Info may also be passed on anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County at (817) 469-8477 (TIPS). Anyone calling should refer to Arlington Police Department 2021-01970061, as Rubi is listed under her deadname. 

“It is a tragedy that we are reporting on yet another member of our community killed in 2021,” Tori Cooper, director of community engagement for the Human Rights Campaign’s Transgender Justice Initiative, said in a press release this week. “Even worse, the suspect fled the scene and has not taken responsibility for ending Rubi’s life. Rubi deserved better, both in life and in death. We will honor her memory and call for a greater respect for life, and for transgender and nonbinary people.”

Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Trudy Ring