The silence of a falling star lights up a purple sky. I wonder where you are.

The lonely work of memorializing trans neighbors. One of the worst moments as a blogger is when I publish a post memorializing a trans neighbor, take a breath and realize I have to write another one. That always hurts. Each time this happens, I take a breath and let it out, feeling the fury and […]

Status of missing Canton drag artist JJ Godbey now a homicide investigation with suspect in custody

Last week, we reported on the disappearance of a 26 year old trans drag artist from Canton, Ohio. Sadly, police have now determined this is a homicide investigation. Canton police announced late Thursday that the disappearance of JJ Godbey is now a homicide investigation. They’ve charged Daniel Mattay, Ryan’s former boyfriend, with four felonies: murder, […]

26 Year Old Drag Artist Missing from Canton, Ohio

Ryan “JJ” Godbey was seen on June 19, 2025 departing a local LGBTQ club, Darlin’s Crew. They were a regular performer. Note – I am unsure how JJ identifies so I am using gender neutral pronouns. JJ’s family grew worried the next day when they didn’t show up for a performance at a local queer […]

Trans Woman Hope Youngblood, 49, Killed on Los Angeles Highway

Hope Lyca Youngblood was 49 years old when she was killed in vehicular incident in Los Angeles on June 7, 2025. Hope identified as a trans woman. [They were] struck and killed Saturday by multiple vehicles near a freeway offramp to the Santa Monica (10) Freeway in the Palms community of Los Angeles, authorities said.The […]

And within the very public crisis of democracy lies the ongoing violent deaths of trans neighbors.

Posted on my Instagram feed, thoughts on the trans community. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sue Kerr (@pghlesbian)

Cincinnati Black Trans Woman, Laura Schueler, Shot to Death

Laura Schueler, a Black trans woman, was 47 when she was killed in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday, June 7, 2025. TransVitae and Planet Trans first covered her story. Local police responded to the deadly shooting on the 1500 block of Jonathan Avenue around 6:50 a.m. Saturday in the Evanston neighborhood. They found Laura at the […]

Black Trans Man Shy’Parius Dupree Shot to Death in Memphis

Shy’Parius Dupree, a Black Trans man, was shot on May 18, 2025, and died in the hospital in Memphis, Tennessee on May 19, 2025. He was 32. The Crime On May 18 Memphis Police Department Officers responded to the shooting at 12:10 a.m. at Range Line Road near James Road in a neighborhood known as […]

LGBTQ Media Reporting on Bar Raids, Anti-Trans Violence Reveals Systemic Weakness

Kelsey

On April 24, 2025, a 25 year old Black trans woman named Kelsey Elem was brutally murdered in St. Louis, Missouri. Local media reported on her death, as they do. I wrote a memorial post. And … Where is the LGBTQ media? Young Black trans woman brutally murdered. 20 minutes away from the location where […]

25 year old Black trans woman fatally shot by boyfriend in St. Louis

Kelsey

Her name was Kelsey Elem. She was 25 years old when her boyfriend killed her after an argument. They both lived in St. Louis. St. Louis County Police reported an altercation broke out in the 5800 block of Grace Avenue between Kelsey and her partner, Martino Lewis. Reportedly, an eyewitness overheard an argument. Elem’s family […]

Pittsburgh Blogger Sue Kerr Has Been Named to Curve Magazine’s 2025 ‘Power List’ in Honor of Lesbian Visibility Week

I am honored to be named to the 2025 ‘Power List’ to kick-off Lesbian Visibility Week. Thank you to the Curve Foundation for this honor and the chance to highlight important issues. “[T]hese individuals are breaking barriers, challenging norms, and leaving an indelible mark on our community and beyond. It is essential for us to […]