2015 has been a devastating year for the transgender community. Transgender people, especially transgender women of color, face high levels of violence in all aspects of their lives. To date, in the U.S. in 2015, we have lost at least 23 transgender and gender non-conforming people to fatal violence. On January 9 this year, Papi Edwards, the first victim that we know of, was murdered in Louisville, Kentucky. The most recent murder occurred on October 15 when Zella Ziona was shot to death in Montgomery County, Maryland.
These tragic deaths are the violent manifestations of the reality many transgender people face. Although marriage equality has been passed throughout the country, 31 states do not have statewide protections against transgender discrimination in employment, housing and in public settings. And even in places where there are protections against discrimination, these laws are not always enforced. That means a transgender person faces the risk of getting fired for simply who they are. This threat of discrimination continues to push many transgender people to the margins. Because of the lack of enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, transgender people are prevented from accessing the basic needs for survival.
Transgender women of color in particular have been the ones targeted in these past homicides. In 2014, 12 transgender women of color were murdered. The number of homicides of transgender women of color has nearly doubled since then. As we are in the midst of transgender awareness week, it is our duty to raise awareness about this issue. Society needs to stop targeting transgender women, especially transgender women of color.
Transphobia has been the main motive of these homicides and transgender women of color have been caught in the middle of the violence. This does not even include the number of transgender and gender non-conforming people who have committed suicide after experiencing harsh discrimination and transphobia.
The National Transgender Discrimination Survey had 531 Respondents from New York, the largest cities in the U.S. 74 percent of them reported experiencing harassment or mistreatment in their workplace, 20 percent lost their jobs, 20 percent were denied a promotion and 37 percent were not hired. It is hardly surprising that transgender people are 4 times more likely to make under $10,000 dollars a year.
We should all take a moment and remember the lives of our transgender siblings that have been lost this past year. The transgender and gender non-conforming people that we know have been lost to fatal violence are: Papi Edwards, Lamia Beard, Ty Underwood, Yazmin Vash Payne, Taja Gabrielle DeJesus, Penny Proud, B. Golec, Kristina Grant Infiniti, Keyshia Blige, Mya Shawatza Hall, London Kiki Chanel, Mercedes Williamson, Jasmine Collins, Ashton O'Hara, India Clarke, K.C Haggard, Shade Schuler, Amber Monroe, Kandis Capri, Elisha Walker, Tamara Dominguez, Keisha Jenkins and Zella Ziona.
These are names we need to remember, not just as victims of hate, but as powerful gender non-conforming people and transgender women. We shall remember them and honor their fight -- and tragic death -- for living their authentic selves. We will redouble our fight in their memory for freedom, justice and equality for all transgender people.
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