Black Trans Teen Tasiyah ‘Siyah’ Woodland, 18, Dies from Gun Violence in Maryland

Tasiyah Woodland

She was 18 years old, a young Black trans woman. Her name was Tasiyah ‘Siyah’ Woodland and she lived in Lexington Park, Maryland. On Friday, March 24, 2023, she became the most recent reported victim of the campaign of terror targeting the transgender community when St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded a 911 call […]

This Lesbian Blogger is Throwing Out the First Pitch for Pride Night at PNC Park June 2022

Pride Night at PNC Park

This is a story. After I won the 2022 Outstanding Blog award from the GLAAD awards earlier this month, the Pirates congratulated me and said that they would like to acknowledge this achievement in their upcoming plans for Pride Night at PNC Park. I was pleased, of course, assuming they would probably make a quick […]

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. […]

Muhlaysia Booker, 23, of Dallas is 4th Trans Woman Murdered in the US in 2019

Muhlaysia Booker

“This time, I can stand before you,” she added. “Whereas in other scenarios, we are at a memorial.” A Black transwoman in Dallas who survived a brutal attack just a month ago has died from a gun shot wound she sustained on Saturday. Police do not believe the incidents are connected, but haven’t ruled it […]

TWOC Jaquarrius Holland (Brown), 18, Murdered in Louisiana

Jaquarrius Holland

A long time ago, I lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For three years. And being Mardi Gras today, my mind wanders that direction. But this year, I’m thinking about something different – the three trans women who have been brutally murdered this past weeks. I wrote about Chyna and Ciara, both of whom were killed […]

Sometimes I Flinch

Earlier in the month, I had a little Facebook spat with another woman in a local progressive women’s group. She objected to my framing of the killing of Sean Hake and we went back and forth for a while. I had the impression she was connected to  law enforcement officer and was taking my analysis […]

Trans Woman of Color Mercedes Successful, 32, Murdered in Florida

Mercedes Successful

She was 32 years old which puts her among the older victims of the epidemic violence against transgender women  (and men) in our society. But still 32 is utterly young to lose your life. Mercedes Successful was murdered, the 11th person this year alone. Successful was born in Kingston, Jamaica and represented that country in […]

Another TWOC Murdered in Kansas City Missouri, #SayHerName Jasmine Collins

Transwoman Murder

Reporters covering the murder of TWOC Tamara Rodriguez in Kansas City have brought to light another death that occurred on June 23 but went unacknowledged because of misgendering. 32-year-old Jasmine Collins was stabbed to death, allegedly over a pair of shoes. From The Advocate: Police in Kansas City, Mo., tellThe Advocate that a 32-year-old trans […]

Vigil Weds Evening in Philly To Honor Slain Trans Woman, London Chanel

London Chanel Memorial

  Friends and family of 21-year-old London Chanel will gather Wednesday at the William Way Center to honor her life and mourn her untimely death. ** Please note that some of her friends spell her name Londyn.  London’s family is taking her body home to Texas for burial We lost a beloved member of our […]

Penny Proud of New Orleans is Fifth Trans Woman of Color Killed in 2015

Penny Proud

This time of year, Mardi Gras and New Orleans are in my mind – I lived in Louisiana for three years in the early nineties. I was terribly saddened (and angry) to learn that another trans sister of color has lost her life to violence in New Orleans. Earlier today, police found the body of […]