On Tuesday, February 23rd police confirmed another senseless murder was committed this past Saturday against a transgender woman of color.
There is a long-standing pattern of violent murders against transgender individuals, especially transgender women of color. Last year, 21 transgender people were reported murdered in the United States, two of whom were in Philadelphia. The murder victims in Philadelphia this past year include Kiesha Jenkins, 22 and London Kiki Chanel, 21; their lives ended violently.
Maya Young was only twenty-five years old when she was stabbed to death in her neck and chest late on Saturday night in the Frankford section of Philadelphia. Described as “sweet,” a “dreamer,” and a “lover of people,” Maya is now mourned by her family and friends, the transgender community, the LGBT community, and the city of Philadelphia at large. There are no suspects at this time; Police were offering a $20,000 reward for any information leading to arrest and conviction of Maya’s murderer.
It has been reported that Maya was involved in prostitution, which, at this point, may have nothing to do with the circumstances surrounding her murder. Yet, this possibility reminds us is that the level of risk and exposure to violence that is inherent in being a trans woman may be exacerbated by the lack of viable and stable employment opportunities the transgender community has available to them. Maya’s tragic and violent death implores us to provide more choices, more opportunities, and more resources for members of transgender community. It is important to note than many tans women, especially trans women of color are presumed to be involved in prostitution simply as a result of their gender identity and are criminalized due to this stigma.
The ceaseless violence against the transgender community highlights the injustice and danger that transgender individuals face on a day-to-day basis merely for expressing their authentic selves. Not only is the viciousness against the transgender community unceasing, it is also apparently increasing. There were reportedly more transgender homicide victims in 2015 than in any other recorded year, and nearly all of the murders were of transgender women of color.
If any positive change is to come from the atrocities committed against Maya Young and other transgender women of color, it is to call attention to the urgency for sweeping change . To honor Maya Young and other transgender people who perished at the hands of callous discrimination and ruthless animosity, we must take steps toward a safer future for the transgender community.
Some possible steps to address this violence include the following: (1) access to safe housing for youth, homeless, and inadequately housed transgender individuals; (2) access to culturally competent healthcare; (3) anti-discrimination laws and enforcement to protect transgender peoples’ rights to public accommodations access and employment; and (4) law enforcement training to assure the correct response to reports of violence and investigation of crimes against trans women.
Hopefully, by taking initiative we can move toward more secure prospects for the transgender community and our society at large.
Web Sources: