I’m Taking a Forensic Genealogy Training

This is my 10th year of writing memorial posts for victims of lethal anti-trans violence. Over the time, I’ve tried to stay focused on the very original request from my friend Jacob, a trans activist. He asked me to write a “decent post” that contained information about the crime(s) but also acknowledged the life of […]

Latina Trans Woman Unique Banks, 21, Killed in Chicago Mass Shooting

Unique Banks transgender

A devastating tragedy in Chicago on Monday left a 21-year-old Latinx trans woman, Unique Banks, and her mother, Alexsandra Olmo, 43, both dead. They were killed in a mass shooting that targeted the two women, Olmo’s boyfriend, and two other transgender women. The three survivors are all hospitalized with critical injuries. Chicago police describe this […]

2022 Murder of Black Trans Woman Destin Howard Comes to Light

Destin Howard

Sadly, we have to add another loss to our list 2022 transgender neighbors who experienced violent deaths. Her name was Destin Howard also known as Destin Cheaves. In some places, she’s been listed as Destiny. On December 9, 2022, her body was found near Macon, Georgia near the parking lot of an empty business. Police […]

Queer Indigenous Activist Tortuguita Shot and Killed by Police in Georgia

tortuguita

Tortuguita, an Indigenous Venezuelan who was also queer and nonbinary, was killed in Atlanta on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. They died from gunshots from police performing a “clearning operation.” They were 26 years old. Officials claim Tortuguita fired their weapon first, wounding a law enforcement officer. Police claim to have returned fire when they shot […]

The Economic Realities of Burying Trans Victims of Violence

Jasmine Star Mack KC Johnson

The mother of Jasmine Star Mack has created a crowdfund to help with her final arrangements. The goal is $2000 and there have been no donations yet. That’s so devastating. It shouldn’t be difficult for people, even LGBTQ just in the DC area, to help her with that goal. The family of KC Johnson have […]

North Carolina Trans Woman KC Johnson, 27, Murdered

KC Johnson trans woman

KC Johnson, 27, was a native of Wilmington, North Carolina. She attended Abide University and was recently a manager at Domino’s Pizza in Wilmington. She’s 5′10″ and weighs about 230 pounds. Johnson has hazel eyes and dark brown, shoulder-length hair and was last seen wearing a grey shirt with gold writing, black leggings and blue […]

Black Trans Woman Jasmine ‘Star’ Mack, 36, Killed in Washington DC

Jasmine star Mack

Her name is Jasmine Star Mack. She was 36-years-old, Black, and a trans woman. She may have been homeless. She died from a stab wound on the same day (night) that the 118th Congress was sworn into office. And that is all that we know right now about the first victim of fatal anti-trans violence […]

Final Arrangements for Franco Harris

On Tuesday, December 27, 2022, the public is welcome to pay their final respects to Franco at ACRISURE Stadium PNC Champions Club at Gate A from 1:00PM until 5:00PM. (Where Heinz Field used to be – had to add a Pittsburgh touch to the directions ~ Sue) Stadium parking lots will open at 11:00AM. For […]

The Real Legacy of the Immaculate Reception and Franco Harris for this Pittsburgh Kid – Originally Posted in 2019

Franco Harris Pittsburgh

I first wrote this post in November 2019. I am reposting this morning in honor of Franco Harris and his family, Dana and Dok. Franco’s death ((March 7, 1950 – December 20, 2022) has layers of impact for all of us, in that very unique Pittsburgh way where this great man was far more than […]

Latina Trans Woman Caelee Love-Light Killed in Phoenix

Caelee Love-Light

Last week, 27-year-old Caelee Love-Light was found dead at the scene of a car incident in Phoenix, Arizona. The Latina transwoman succumbed to gunshot injuries she sustained while involved in some sort of altercation with the male occupant of the car. He was stabbed several times and later died of his injuries at a nearby […]