Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Her name was Aleanna Belcher. She was a 31 year old Black trans woman when her life ended on Friday, April 17, 2026 in the stairwell of a housing complex in Birmingham, New York. She knew the man who stabbed her to death, but the nature of their relationship is unclear.

The Crime

From WBNG

Aleanna Belcher, a 31-year-old from Johnson City, died at the hospital after suffering a significant stab wound to the abdomen at a housing facility on Virgil Street on Friday, according to information from the Binghamton Police Department. Belcher was aided at the scene by police before EMS arrived and took Belcher to the hospital, where they later died.

Police have made an arrest and filed second degree murder charges. This remains an active investigation, and anyone with information is asked to call the Binghamton police Detective Bureau at 607-772-7080.

As we have seen with other recent situations, the media deadnamed and misgendered her. So once again her friends and family have to add making those corrections to their grieving process. I suspect we are sliding backwards on this reporting.

Honoring Aleanna

She was born in Las Vegas. Aleanna was known as Aleanna Royal and Queen Freakii. She studied at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Aleanna identified as a dj, promoter, dancer, model, artist and more.

Her social show her fondness for music and dance. I noticed that she ‘liked’ many small businesses and artists – showing up for them in that small, but meaningful way.

Friends say “She Lived and loved the RAVE. It was her thang. She loved dubstep, and bass and drum n bass and house music.”

“She was an amazing person. Always positive and happy. She LOVED the edm scene and loved to dance.”

Family have set up a crowdfund to help with her final expenses – they are just $500 short of the goal. Her brother wrote

“Aleanna was an artist, loved drawing, loved to dance, and could light up a room just by entering.

More than anything, Aleanna was the best at bringing people together, and was loved by many.

Aleanna was known for helping in the community, was very good with kids, and “Aunty Aleena” was the life of the party, always bringing positive vibes.

Aleanna stuck up for people, and never liked to see anyone down—a natural protector with a great soul.”

Her funeral is planned for Saturday in Nevada. Sadly the church where she grew up and her family attended withdrew the offer to hold her funeral service after, according to her brother, they learned she was trans.

Sigh. How is that a Christian response? Pull out of a funeral? That’s just cruel and vicious. I’ve heard of faith communities turning families away, but I don’t recall one saying yes and then turning them away. What a horrible response to a grieving family.

How does the media erasure and the church rejection shape what we consider justice for Aleanna and others?

Context

Aleanna is the fourth trans person whose violent death has been reported in the US during 2026. I have no doubt there have been other violent deaths, they are just hidden for reasons I laid out earlier. It is on all of us to honor those who lives were taken in shadows, in silence, and under cover of anti-trans bias.

She is the fourth trans woman, the third Black trans woman, and the youngest person on our list this year.

It feels meaningful that three deaths have been reported in the past few weeks after months of silence. There are no young people on this list – Aleanna is the youngest at 31. That’s not typical either with most years disproportionately listing trans folx 25 and under. Is the algorithm going to help us find our departed neighbors? I’m not being sarcastic – I’m genuinely puzzled. I was writing a blog post about the lack of visibility when I learned about Shyyell. Someone pointed me to Davonta’s story, then before I could hit publish – I learned about Dannielle. I did hit publish on her memorial when Aleanna’s story showed up in my feed. This is not how we should be documenting this brutal pandemic or genocide – with random notifications.

Aleanna’s family is clearing mourning her and seems to have embraced her full identity. They have publicly stated their desire for more information and for justice. I saw that in the response of Davonta Curtis’ family as well – asking people to show up for hearings and meetings as a demonstration of their support.

From New York State, we’ve documented the deaths of these trans neighbors. In 2025, Elisa Rae Shupe, Ezra Hulett and Sam Nordquist. In 2024, Cecilia Gentili and Honee Daniels. In 2022, Chanelika Y’Ella Dior Hemingway aka “Sid”. From 2020, Lexi, Tiffany Harris, and Alexandria Winchester.

I’ve often thought violent deaths from New York City are underreported, but looking at this list brings a pattern to light. From January 2025 to April 2026, there have been four reported violent deaths of trans folx. Out of nine reported deaths total. One of those deaths was of a native of Albany, did not take place in New York. And if you don’t include Ezra, that’s still a third of the reported deaths in a 16 month period.

Without the official databases, we are floundering with these stories.

Rest in power, Aleanna. The world needed more of your time, energy, and movement through our lives. To have that shortened through a violent senseless act is tragic. Celebrating the life you lived, the people who loved you, and the legacy is important. I hope it puts more positive energy into this world.

May your memory be a revolution.

Deaths reported in 2026

These individuals are part of the trans community including transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and gender creative folx. Please do not share this content without attribution. Thank you

1. Shyyell Diamond Sanchez-Mccray – Petersburg, Virginia. March 13, 2026. Age 42.
2. Davonta Curtis – Chicago, Illinois. April 5, 2026. Age 32.
3. Dannielle Spillman – San Francisco, California. April 16, 2026. Age 74.
4. Aleanna Royal Belcher – Binghamton, New York. April 17, 2026. Age 31.