Black Gender Nonconforming Teen Shot to Death in Alabama

Jaheim Pugh Bella

This is complicated story about identity, but it is a story that must be shared within that complexity because it also reflects the consequences of intolerance and hate in our society. The victim who was murdered in this story was a 19 year old young adult who was identified by friends as using both he/him […]

Trans Woman Kimberly Susan Fial, 55, Murdered in a Mass Stabbing in San Jose

Kimberly Fial Murder

On November 22, 2020, a horrific crime took the life of 55-year-old white trans woman, Kimberly Susan Fial. She was volunteering at a local homeless shelter in Grace Baptist Church in San Jose, California when she and four other staff/volunteers were stabbed by a resident of the shelter. Kim and one other person died from […]

Q&A with Stars of Holiday Drag Musical ‘Claws Out’ at City Theatre

For the holidays, City Theatre had to pivot on it’s heel from a live stage production to a pre-recorded show broadcast online. Fortunately, when it came to Claws Out they had plenty of heels to choose from, including stilettos and sensible pumps. A holiday drag musical, Claws Out tells the story of two divas battling for […]

Black Trans Woman Fendi Mon’ezah “Peaches” Armstrong Found Dead in Georgia

Fendi Mon'ezah Peaches Armstrong

On November 12, 2020 the body of Fendi Mon’ezah Armstrong was discovered in a motel room near Lithonia, Georgia. Fendi was a 39-year-old Black trans woman. She was deceased when police arrived. Police have not yet released any information.  Here’s a link to the initial reporting. Please note that it does misgender and deadname Fendi. […]

Black Trans Woman Skylar Heath Dies Under Suspicious Circumstances in Miami

Skylar Heath Black Trans Woman

Skylar Heath was 20 years old when she lost her life on November 4, 2020 in Miami, Florida. Misgendering by media, law enforcement, and in her obituary obscured her death and her lived experiences as a young Black trans woman. From PlanetTransgender Miami-Dade police found Skylar Heath in the vicinity of NW 14 Court and […]

Black Trans Woman, Chae’Meshia Simms, Fatally Shot in Richmond

Black Trans Woman

On Monday, November 23, Chae’Meshia Simms was killed in Richmond, Virginia. She was found dead in the driver’s seat of her mother’s car at 6 AM. The car wrecked while moving and police responded. Police said they have identified the victim of a homicide on Cheatwood Avenue in Richmond’s North Side.About 5:40 a.m. Monday, officers […]

22-year-old Asia Jynaé Foster shot to death in Houston on Trans Day of Remembrance

On November 20, Asia Jynai Foster was killed. Asia was 22 years old and a Black trans woman living in Houston, Texas. November 20 was also the Trans Day of Remembrance, an international observation of trans neighbors who have been killed. According to Outsmart A 22-year-old Black transgender woman was shot and killed in west […]

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) 2020 Honors 37 Trans Neighbors Lost

TDOR Transgender Collage

“It may be a sad song but we’re gonna sing it again. I will continue to fight and push for the voices of black transgender women to be uplifted until the day I die. We deserve to be heard, to be loved, and for our very existence to be acknowledged.” —Riah Milton’s sister, Ariel Mary […]

Three Additional Trans and Gender Nonconforming Murders Come to Light Just Before TDOR

A horrifying discovery this night before Trans Day of Remembrance – reports of the violent deaths of three more gender non-conforming and trans neighbors came to light. Thank you to The Advocate for excellent reporting on heartbreaking and tragic stories. Photo of Yunieski Carey Herrera via The Advocate Miami transgender performer and activist Yunieski Carey […]

Facemask Q&A with Dre Cortes and Lex Londino of Bows for Beaux Co.

Queer Masks

No matter where you procure your masks, please wear them properly and stay safe! One important part of the Pittsburgh MasQUe ProjecT is highlighting safe and affirming places for trans and queer folx to purchase masks. In addition to this Q&A series, we maintain a list on the project homepage. This Q&A was crafted to […]