20-Year-Old Black Trans Woman Taya Ashton Shot Dead in Maryland

A 20-year-old Black transgender woman, Taya Ashton, has become the latest victim in the violent epidemic of murder targeting the transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming community. Tavahn Ashton of Suitland in Prince George’s County, Maryland was pronounced dead on Saturday, July 17, 2021. On July 17, 2021, at approximately 9:55 pm, officers responded to an […]

Maria Montaño Challenges Social Norms, Political Structures as ‘Best Thirst Trap’ Nominee in Pgh City Paper Best of Pittsburgh Awards

For so long, trans women and our bodies have been sold as objects under capitalism. This has led to our marginalization – and the belief that we are nothing but sexual deviants is directly related to the way we are demonized by so many. Capitalism has deprived us of our humanity, and our own sexual […]

SisTers PGH to protest Black trans exclusion from Sen. Casey’s Pride Month celebration.

For previous Bob Casey inclusion issues, check out this 2017 post I wrote. Senator Bob Casey Excludes Black Trans Voices From Pride Event 6/29/2021 This afternoon, Sen. Bob Casey will be hosting a Pride Month celebration featuring special guest and hometown icon Billy Porter, among others. Panelists at this event are supposed to be discussing […]

23-year-old Black Trans Man EJ Boykin aka Novaa Watson Dies from Gunshot Wound

On Monday, June 14, 23-year-old Black trans man EJ Boykin also known as Novaa Watson died in Lynchburg, Virginia from a gunshot wound. From The News & Advance: Officers responded to the parking lot outside the Family Dollar on Fort Avenue at about 6 p.m. Monday for reports of a malicious wounding, LPD previously said […]

What Happened to Poe Black, a 21-year-old Trans Man Killed in Slab City, California?

The body of 21-year-old Poe Black was discovered in the Sonoran Desert on May 11, 2021 near Slab City in Niland, California. Also known as Oliver Jackson, Poe was a resident of Slab City, an unincorporated collection of camps frequently occupied by homeless folks and others who purposefully chose to live outside of conventional communities. […]

25-Year-Old Illinois Trans Man Shot to Death

Correction: I misspelled Haven’s surname in the original post. I have made the correction. I am sorry for the confusion. – Sue Haven A Bailey was 25 years old. He was living in Illinois where he grew up and graduated from Addison Trail High School. Haven identified as a trans man, most recently living in […]

35 Western Pennsylvania Voices on Pansexual Visibility Day

May 24 is Pansexual Visibility Day. According to HRC Pan people’s sexuality can often be erased when they are assumed to be either gay or straight, or when their pan identity isn’t taken seriously, so it’s essential to make sure that we uplift the voices of pan people. Being pan can mean different things to […]

35-Year-Old Trans South Carolinian Thomas Hardin Murdered During Killing Spree

The story of Thomas Hardin’s death is nuanced, complicated, and frightening. The frightening element is in most part because the man who is believed to have killed him and four other people in two states is armed and on the run. According to family, friends, and law enforcement, Thomas Hardin identified as a woman. But […]

White Trans Teen Oliver ‘Ollie’ Taylor, 17, Killed in Oregon After Being Kidnapped

On May 19, 2021, a 17-year-old white trans young man Oliver “Ollie” Taylor died after being kidnapped and shot on May 12 in Gervais, Oregon. Ollie is the 27th trans person violently killed in the United States to date. Ollie endured a kidnapping at the hands of a 20-year-old acquaintance as did another friend was […]

Black Trans Woman Serenity Hollis, 24, Killed in Albany, Georgia

Serenity Hollis

Note: this post originally listed the wrong date, a date in the future. The correct date is May 8, 2021. I apologize for the confusion.  Serenity Hollis, a 24-year-old Black trans woman, was murdered in Albany, Georgia on Saturday, May 8, 2021. Her family believes it may have been a hate crime and local police […]