My Best Friend’s Funeral: I’m Still Crying 15 Years Later

Dr. John Ruffing Veterinarian

Today, my friend John would be 56 years old. Even in whatever heaven for terrific people might look like, he is cringing about that. But in some sort of heaven is a certainty for John. No doubt. I don’t even really believe in heaven or maybe I do, a little. But I know that a […]

White Trans Woman Fern Feather, 29, Murdered in Vermont

The body of 29-year-old Fern Feather, a white trans woman was discovered on Tuesday morning on the side of Duhamel Road near Cadys Falls Road in Morristown, Vermont. The autopsy determined the cause of death was a stab wound to the chest, and the manner of death was homicide. She is the 12th US victim […]

Black Trans Teen Girl Ariyanna Mitchell, 17, Murdered in Virginia

Ariyanna Mitchell Kamari Black trans women

Her name was Ariyanna Mitchell. She was 17 years old resident of Newport News, Virginia. On April 2, she was shot multiple times at a party in nearby Hampton, Virginia when she intervened in a dispute. Ariyanna was a Black trans woman. 19-year-old Jimmy Leshawn Williams of Norfolk shot her multiple times with an assault […]

Black Trans Woman Miia Love Parker, 25, Shot to Death in Philly Suburb

Miia Love Parker

Her name was Miia Love Parker. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she was a 25-year-old Black trans woman. She was most recently living in Chester, Pennsylvania, a Philly suburb. She studied at Temple University and worked modeling MAC cosmetics. According to CBS Philadelphia, Chester police say on April 1, 2022 Friday around 3:30 a.m. Miia […]

Grief, Anger, Fear, and Guilt: Comments from a Friend of Kathryn Newhouse at Her Candlelight Vigil

Kathryn Newhouse

On Saturday March 19, 2022, a 19-year-old Asian-American autistic trans woman living with mental illness issues was murdered by her father (filicide) in their family home. Her father then died by suicide using the same gun. Her name was Kathryn (Katie) Newhouse. Yesterday, friends and neighbors organized a candlelight vigil to honor her life and acknowledge […]

Black Trans Woman Kesha Webster, 24, Found Dead in Jackson, Mississippi

Kesha Webster

Kesha Webster was found dead on Charleston Drive in Jackson, Mississippi on Saturday, March 26, 2022. Her death is under investigation with family telling the media it was a ‘robbery-homicide’ but no further information from local law enforcement. I haven’t been able to find any media reports of the incident itself. Kesha’s mother wants to […]

Autistic Asian-American Teen Trans Woman Kathryn Newhouse Murdered by Her Father in Georgia

On Saturday March 19, 2022, a 19-year-old Asian-American autistic trans woman living with mental illness issues was murdered by her father in their family home. Her father then died by suicide using the same gun. Her name was Kathryn (Katie) Newhouse. A native of Illinois, Kathryn was most recently living with her family in Canton, Georgia. […]

Black Trans Woman Tatiana Labelle Murdered in Chicago

Tatiana Labelle

On Friday, March 18, 2022, the body of Tatiana “Tee Tee” Labelle was discovered after she had been listed as missing for five days in her Chicago hometown. Police are describing her death as a murder investigation after an autopsy on Saturday. Tatiana Labelle, 33, was last seen on the 700 block of East 84th […]

Trans People Are Relevant

Matthew Spampinato

Yesterday, a family friend of Matthew Spampinosa left a comment on this blog post about his death. I was appalled enough to draft a message in response to her, but my gut tells me she isn’t going to hear me. So I opted to share my thoughts with you. After all, just today Georgia introduced […]

Trans Man Matthew Spampinato Killed in Hit and Run While Walking Home From Work

Matthew Spampinato

Matthew Angelo Spampinato was a 21-year-old white man living in New Castle, Delaware walking home from work when he was run down by a hit-and-run driver on February 9, 2022. The accident took place along State Route 237 near the intersection with Quigley Avenue. Matthew was born and raised about an hour outside of Atlanta, […]