MARTYR SAINTS
Amarey Lej
Found dead on a Pittsburgh street early in the morning of January 1. She had been shot. She was one of about a half-dozen trans people of color to have died violently in the area in the past year.
Duval Princess
24, of Jacksonville, Fla., was found shot to death in her car at a shopping center January 2. Princess’s family told local media that she had an “outgoing personality” and was “a little firefly.” She worked as a hairstylist and was in the early stages of transitioning.
Matthew Spampinato
21-year-old trans man, was killed in a hit-and-run car crash February 9 in New Castle, Del. He was walking home from work at a Starbucks, where he was well-regarded by coworkers.
Naomi Skinner
25, was fatally shot in Highland Park, Mich., February 12. Her boyfriend, Michael Cortez Norris, 26, has been charged with second-degree murder. Friends and family described Skinner as a “very outstanding person” who lived a “fabulous life.” Her death reflects the high level of intimate partner violence faced by trans people.
Cypress Ramos
21, a popular drag performer, was found dead in a storage unit in Lubbock, Texas, February 12. She had died after being struck with a heavy object. Allen Montemayor, 32, has been charged with murder. He has claimed that he acted in self-defense and that he heard a song telling him to kill Ramos.
Paloma Vazquez
29, was shot to death in Houston the first weekend in March. Vazquez had been in the U.S. just six months and had fled anti-trans violence in Honduras. "She had just moved into her new apartment and was very excited about decorating," friend Gia Pacheco said. She had already become active in the Houston trans community, working with the Organization for Latina Trans in Texas.
Tatiana “Tee Tee” abelle
33, was found dead March 18 in a trash can in Chicago. She had been beaten to death. She was last seen alive five days earlier. “It is heartbreaking for someone to beat her to death and throw her in the trash like she was garbage,” her sister Shameika Thomas told Chicago TV station WLS.
Kathryn Newhouse
19, was fatally shot by her father March 19 at their home in Cherokee County, Ga. Her father, Howard Newhouse, 57, then died by suicide. Katie Newhouse was described as a proud Filipina-American who was neurodivergent. She was an advocate for trans rights and an enthusiastic video gamer.
Kenyatta “Kesha” Webster
24, was found dead in Jackson, Miss., March 26. Family members have said Webster’s death was robbery-homicide, but police have yet to confirm. On April 1, more than 100 people attended a balloon release honoring her. At the event, her mother, Sharon Taylor, called for justice. “Everybody share it all on Facebook,” Taylor said. “All over Facebook. Let it go out, because I want justice for my baby. Because she was loved. She had plenty of love. She didn’t deserve that. She ain’t no dog, no rag or dirt. She’s gonna get justice.”
Miia Love Parker
25, was shot to death April 1 in Chester, Pa., a Philadelphia suburb, and police have identified a suspect but have yet to apprehend him. Parker was in a parked vehicle when she was shot. A friend took her to a hospital, but she did not survive. Chester police are searching for Saad Najeed Dwight, 38. He will face charges of criminal homicide, third-degree murder, and possession of a firearm not to be carried without a license.
Fern Feather
29, of Hinesburg, Vt., was found stabbed to death April 12 along a road in another Vermont community, Morristown, and the man charged has made statements amounting to a “trans panic” defense. Seth Brunell, 43, told police Feather had made a sexual advance toward him and “attacked” him, so he had to defend himself. But police said they saw no signs of a struggle and that Brunell was not injured. He is charged with second-degree murder.
Ariyanna Mitchell
17, was shot to death while intervening in a fight at a party in Hampton, Va., April 2. Her accused killer, Jimmy Leshawn Williams, asked her if she was a boy or a girl before shooting her, according to court documents. He has been charged with murder.
Ray Muscat
26, was shot to death May 8 at his home in Oakland County, Mich. Police say he was killed by his girlfriend, trans woman Ruby Taverner, 22, who subsequently died by suicide. Her body was discovered the next day. Authorities say she also fatally shot her brother, Bishop Taverner, 24.
Sasha Mason
45-year-old Latina, was shot to death May 13 during a robbery at her home in Zebulon, N.C. Police arrested one suspect, Ali Tariq Khabir Wiggins, the same day, and another, Julius Antwan Smith, two days later, according to TV station WNCN. They are both charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery with a dangerous weapon, and additional charges are likely, police said. “Wiggins was a known associate [of Mason],” WNCN reports. “Police believe the attack was targeted.”
Nedra Sequence Morris
50, was found dead May 14 on a street in Opa-Locka, Fla. She was lying in a pool of blood. Family members say she was shot in the head at another location and her body dumped at the site. Police are continuing to investigate.
Chanelika Y’Ella Dior Hemingway
A recent graduate of the University of Albany in New York, was found dead in her Albany apartment May 31, and police have ruled her death a homicide. The police have not disclosed how she was killed and have released few details overall. Her body was found during a wellness check requested by her mother, Jackie Powell, who had not heard from her.
Brazil Johnson
28-year-old Black woman, died of multiple gunshot wounds June 15 in Milwaukee. Her death has been ruled a homicide. No suspect has been identified.
Shawmaynè Giselle Marie McClam
Was shot to death at her apartment in Gulfport, Miss., June 21. Makhari Seven Gasaway, 20, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault.
Kitty Monroe
A Black woman, was shot to death June 29 in Cordova, Tenn., near Memphis. Police have arrested Samuel Ward Jr. and charged him with voluntary manslaughter, Memphis’s ABC affiliate reports. He told police he had been inside a home with Monroe, and she ordered him to leave and pulled a gun on him. They struggled, both fell down a flight of stairs, and then Ward took out his own gun and shot Monroe several times, according to a police affidavit cited by the station. He called the police from another location, and they came to the scene of the altercation and found Monroe, who died there.
Cherry Bush
48, an unhoused trans woman, was fatally shot July 5 in the Sylmar neighborhood of Los Angeles. L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón’s office has charged Eric Antonio Sanchez, 29, with one count each of murder and attempted murder with a hate-crime allegation. Bush was "allegedly targeted based on a presumption of [her] gender identity and sexual orientation," said a press release from the D.A.'s office, which also said Sanchez shot at a bystander.
Aaron Lynch
26, was having a mental health crisis when police were called to his home in McLean, Va., the evening of July 7. He approached officers holding a decorative mask, which he threw to the ground, and a wine bottle, which police claimed he was wielding like a weapon. After the police fired Tasers at him with no result, one officer, Edward George, shot Lynch four times, killing him. George is on reduced duty, and the incident is under investigation, McLean Police Chief Kevin Davis said.
Martasia Richmond
30, was stabbed to death July 11 in Chicago. She was found on the porch of a home there when police responded to a complaint of domestic battery. Police have arrested Daniel Burley, 31, described as Richmond’s partner. He is charged with first-degree murder but his lawyers claim he acted in self-defense.
Kandii Redd
29, a Black transgender woman and award-winning performer, was stabbed to death July 25 in Kansas City, Mo. There was “an argument that led to a physical altercation,” reports TV station KMBC, which misgendered her. Police found Redd in an apartment and called paramedics to treat her, but she was pronounced dead.
Hayden Davis
28-year-old Black transgender woman, was found dead on a street in Detroit July 25, her body wrapped in a blanket. She had been shot several times. Police are still seeking a suspect.
Acey D. Morrison
A Two-Spirit member of the Lakota tribe, was fatally shot August 21 in her hometown of Rapid City, S.D. Morrison was a “kindhearted, down to earth, joyous, respectful, and loving soul,” says an obituary published by Native Sun News. “She was a helpful and giving person who was always there for her family and friends. Acey always put a smile on others and had those around her laughing and happy. … We will remember her as who she was to each of us: authentic, and unapologetic.” No arrest has been made in her death.
Dede Ricks
Black trans woman Dede Ricks, 33, was shot to death August 28 at a home in Detroit. Ricks was an Ohio resident. Deontae Close, 31, was arrested that day and arraigned a few days later on a charge of second-degree murder.
Regina 'Mya' Allen
Black trans woman Regina Allen, called Mya by friends, was shot to death August 29 in Milwaukee. She was 35 years old and would have turned 36 September 20. Police are searching for Clayton Hubbird, 31, who will face a charge of first-degree reckless homicide. Surveillance video shows Allen getting into a Chevy Tahoe with Hubbird at a gas station. As they approached her apartment, a witness heard them arguing and heard Allen say, “I’m shot,” according to local media. Hubbird’s vehicle was found in Wauwatosa, a Milwaukee suburb, the next day, but he remains at large. Friends have described Allen as full of laughter and joy.
Semaj Billingslea
33-year-old Black trans man, was shot to death September 21 just outside a motel in Jacksonville, Fla. No suspect has been identified. Billingslea was a Jacksonville native and entrepreneur who had started a cleaning business. “The character of Semaj was larger than life, and when you’re larger than life there’s always going to be haters,” his father, Tahlmage Billingslea, said at a memorial vigil. “There’s always this kind of thing that comes along when you’re out there and first to do something fully.”
Tiffany Banks
25-year-old Black trans woman, was killed in Miami on October 1,2022. Her death is the fourth known killing of a Black transgender person in Florida.
Marisela Castro
Was planning a birthday party celebration with friends and family. Tragically, on July 29 the eve of her birthday, Marisela was shot and killed in the Northshore neighborhood Houston, Texas. According to her friend Jorge Luis Lizardo, as quoted in the Houston Chronicle, she was a “bright” and “sunny” person who had never made enemies
Keshia Chanel Geter
26-year-old Black transgender woman, was traveling with a friend when she was fatally shot in Augusta, Georgia on July 20, 2022, outside a motel. Initial reports from local media misgendered Keshia. “Keshia Chanel Geter lived her truth as a Black transgender woman, said Tori Cooper, HRC’s Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative. “She should still be alive today to embrace those she loved and continue living a bright and full life.”
Shawmaynè Giselle Marie
27-year-old Black transgender woman, was born and raised in Gulfport and attended Gulfport High School. She worked as a personal care assistant and as a certified nursing assistant for almost four years. She was shot and killed in Gulfport, Mississippi on June 21, 2022. On social media, her family and friends remembered her as a “loving, funny, kind and genuine person.”
Naomie Skinner
25-year-old Black transgender woman, was described by a friend as being a “very outstanding person.” Her sister said Naomie lived a “fabulous life.” Naomie was fatally shot by her boyfriend on February 12, 2022 near Detroit in Highland Park, Michigan.
Nohemi Martinez and Yulizsa Ramirez
A Lesbian couple both 28 years old from El Paso TX whose bodies were discovered on 16 January 2022 on the side of a road in Ciduad Juarez Mexico, where the two had gone to visit relatives. The bodies were found in separate trash bags having been tortured, shot and dismembered. The following day the bodies of two more women were found nearby. The couple moved to El Paso, were married the year before, and were parents to three children. There are no suspects.
Juraj Vankulic and Matus Horwath
Shot to death on October 12 2022 by a radicalized teenager, son of far-right politician from extremist party founded by Stefan Harabin - ex-Chief of highest court of Slovak Republic. The murderer was found dead the next morning. This murder was result of escalation of anti-gay lobbying by the so called "pro-family" and far-right parties.
Tseko Simon Nkoli / Simon Nkoli - Godfather of South Africa LGBTQ activism in S. Africa & also an Hiv/Aids activist, a human rights campaigner & liberation fighter tried for treason by the Apartheid regime in the Delmas treason trial. Murdered.
Eude Simelane - Black South African lesbian activist & role model for township youth & lesbians, a star player for our national women's soccer team & a celeb lesbian murdered in Kwa Thema in a gang rape.
Nxolo Nongwasa - A South African lesbian activist also gang raped & murdered in Kwa Thema.
Jacques Camille Picoux (9 November 1948 – 16 October 2016) was a French-born lecturer on French at National Taiwan University and a high-profile gay activist in Taiwan who killed himself because he had no legal rights to make medical decisions on behalf of his cancer-stricken partner, Tseng Ching-chao, nor did he have any legal rights to the home they had shared for nearly 40 years. His death sparked protests which resulted in gay marriage equality in Taiwan. Gays in Taiwan promise that there won't "be another Jacques Picoux"-like tragedy.
