Trans Day of Remembrance: Honoring the Beautiful Trans Lives Stolen

Author: the National Center for Transgender Equality

Today, ahead of Transgender Day of Remembrance, the National Center for Transgender Equality has released the 2022 Remembrance Report to honor the lives of 47 trans people whose lives were stolen by violence since November 2021.

On Trans Day of Remembrance, we honor those taken from our communities, we celebrate their lives, and we root ourselves in our collective resilience. Across America, the transgender community is incredibly strong. In the face of systemic violence, trans people continue to survive and thrive. We support and celebrate each other while working hard to achieve our dreams.

Over the past several years, extremist politicians across the country have attempted to weaponize disinformation about trans people. They misuse and abuse the powers of state governments to persecute us and our families. We live in a political climate that has exploded with anti-trans legislation, policy, and rhetoric. In the lead-up to the most recent election, extremists spread lies about trans people, denigrating our community and stoking fear in people who simply don’t understand what it means to be trans. 

These actions have consequences. They contribute to a deeply unsafe environment for trans people and our families – some of whom have had to flee their home states just to get the medical care they need. Over 25 percent of the trans people we lost to violence over the past year were located in Texas and Florida – two states which saw dozens of anti-trans legislative and administrative actions.  Even the hospitals where trans people can access gender-affirming care across the country have been the targets of serious threats, and violence against trans people overall has increased in recent years. 

Within our community, we know very well that trans women of color, and especially Black trans women, face an alarming and unacceptable amount of violence. Trans women made up 85 percent of those taken from us, and 70 percent of those trans women were Black.

No one should have to fear violence or mourn lost loved ones. No matter what, trans people across the nation deserve to live safe, healthy, and authentic lives. Trans people are vital parts of our communities. The trans experience is about far more than violence and statistics. We are brilliant, we are beautiful, and we are full of joy. Our lives have meaning. We matter.  

In the National Center for Transgender Equality’s 2022 Remembrance Report, we honor the 47 trans people we have identified whose lives were lost to violence since November of 2021. The information in this report has been compiled from a variety of sources, including national and local news outlets; national, state, and local LGBTQ+ organizations; and social media posts. Here are stories of some of the people we remember.

Ariyanna was a 17-year-old Black transgender girl, an avid member of a local dance academy, and a junior in high school.

Chanelika was a 30-year-old Black transgender woman. She had just graduated with a degree in biology and was planning a move to California to become a physician’s assistant.

Marisela was a 39-year-old Latina transgender woman. Originally from Honduras, she spent most of her life in North Carolina and recently moved to Houston to be closer to her nieces and nephews.

Ray was a 26-years-old white transgender man and an avid cosplayer and convention-goer. His coworkers remember him as “a kind soul who had a glowing smile.”

Semaj was a 33-year-old Black transgender man who started his own cleaning business and was a student at Florida State College.

The stories of all 47 of our departed trans siblings are available in the full report.

This report is, unfortunately, almost certainly incomplete. Violence against our community is often underreported, and data about it is difficult to capture. Trans people who are victims of violence are frequently deadnamed, misgendered, or otherwise misidentified in death by law enforcement, journalists, and even by unsupportive family members. In addition, what reports do accurately reflect trans people’s identities, they often fail to represent the fullness of our humanity.

NCTE’s Remembrance Report centers the humanity and individuality of trans people whose lives were stolen by violence. We honor the loved ones we’ve lost to violence and celebrate those who are still here. No matter what, trans people across the nation deserve to live safe, healthy, and authentic lives.

We are brilliant, we are beautiful, and we are full of joy. Our lives have meaning. We matter.

In memoriam:

Ace Scott, 15, Kansas City, MO

Acey D. Morrison, 30, Rapid City, SD

Amariey Lej (Myara), 20, Pittsburgh, PA

Angel Naira, 36, Aliquippa, PA

Ariyanna Mitchell, 17, Hampton, VA

Brazil Johnson, 28, Milwaukee, WI

Brent Wood, 31, Seattle, WA

Chanelika Y’Ella Dior Hemingway (“Sid”), 30, Albany, NY

Cherry Bush, 48, Los Angeles, CA

Cypress Ramos, 21, Lubbock, TX 

Danyale Johnson, 35, Memphis, TN

Dede Ricks, 33, Detroit, MI

DeeDee Hall, 47, Dallas, TX

Duval Princess, 24, Jacksonville, FL

Fern Feather, 29, Morristown, VT

Hayden Nevah Davis, 28, Detroit, MI

Jasper Aaron Lynch, 26, McLean, VA

Jenny DeLeon, 25, Sulpher Springs, FL

Kandii “Dee Dee” Redd (Kamila Marie Swann), 29, Kansas City, MO

Kathryn “Katie” Newhouse, 19, Canton, GA

Kesha Webster, 24, Jackson, MS

Keshia Chanel Geter, 26, Augusta, GA

Ke’Yahonna Stone, 32, Indianapolis, IN  

Kitty Monroe, unknown age, Cordova, TN

Maddie Hofmann, 47, Malvern, PA

Marisela Castro, 39, Houston, TX

Marquiisha Lawrence, 28, Greenville, SC

Martasia Richmond, 30, Chicago, IL

Martina Caldera, 38, Channelview, TX

Matthew Angelo Spampinato, 21, New Castle, DE

Miia Love Parker, 25, Chester, PA

Naomie Skinner, 25, Highland Park, MI

Nedra Sequence Morris, 50, Opa-Locka, FL

Nikai David, 33, Oakland, CA

Nikki Turietta, 31, Albuquerque, NM

Paloma Vazquez, 29, Houston, TX

Paris Rich, 25, San Diego, CA

Princess, 24, Houston, TX

Ray Muscat, 26, Independence Twp., MI

Regina Mya Allen, 35, Milwaukee, WI

Sasha Mason, 45, Zebulon, NC

Semaj Billingslea, 33, Jacksonville, FL

Shawmaynè Giselle Marie McClam, 27, Gulfport, MS

Tatiana “Tee Tee” Labelle, 33, Chicago, IL

Tiffany Banks, 25, Miami, FL

Toi Davis, 34, Milwaukee, WI

Za’niyah Williams, 21, Houston, TX

The National Center for Transgender Equality is a leading social justice advocacy organization looking to make life-saving changes for transgender people.

Views expressed in The Advocate’s opinion articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, Equal Pride.

Original Article on The Advocate
Author: the National Center for Transgender Equality