November 20th marks Trans Day of Remembrance, an annual observance begun by trans advocate, Gwendolyn Ann Smith, to honor trans and non-binary folx who were lost to violence. 2021 has seen the deaths of at least 49 trans and non-binary community members to violence, more may not yet be known as many community members are misgendered and deadnamed in media and police reporting. This year, we also are lifting up the names of trans and non-binary individuals we lost to COVID-19, suicide, and health concerns. We speak their names to carry forward their legacy as we continue our work to engage in anti-violence efforts and celebrate trans brilliance.
We know it can be hard to read these reports of violence against our communities. If you need support in these difficult times, you can reach out to the Anti-Violence Project at Center on Halsted. The Anti-Violence Project team can be reached by calling 773–871-CARE (2273) and emailing avp@centeronhalsted.org.
As there are many systemic barriers to accurately reporting deaths of trans and non-binary community members, the Trans Murder Monitoring Project includes the last months of 2020 to honor the names of folx who may not have been included in 2020’s Trans Day of Remembrance. The Trans Murder Monitoring Project reports on global trends to illustrate that transphobia is pandemic that impacts trans and non-binary community.
2021 T/GNB Victims
Name, Age, Location
- Tyianna Drea Alexander, 28, Chicago, IL
- Samuel Edmund Damián Valentín, Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico
- Natasha Kieanna, 37, Detroit, MI
- Bianca “Muffin” Bankz, 30, Atlanta, GA
- Dominique Jackson, 30, Jackson, MS
- Fifty Bandz, 21, Baton Rouge, LA
- Alexus “Kimmy Icon” Braxton, 45, Miami, FL
- Chyna Carrillo, 24, PA
- Jeffrey “JJ” Bright, 16, Ambridge, PA
- Jasmine Canady, 22, Ambridge, PA
- Jenna Franks, 34, Jacksonville, NC
- Diamond Kyree Sanders, 23, Cincinatti, OH
- Rayanna Pardo, 26, Los Angeles, CA
- Kim Tova Wirtz, 43, Baltimore, MD
- Dominique Lucious, 26, Springfield, MO
- Jaida Peterson, 29, Charlotte, NC
- Remy Fennell, 28, Charlotte, NC
- Tiara Banks, 24, Chicago, IL
- Natalia Smüt, 24, Milpitas, CA
- Jahaira DeAlto Balenciaga, 42, Boston, MA
- Iris Santos, 22, Houston, TX
- Tiffany Thomas, 38, Dallas, TX
- Keri Washington, 49, Clearwater, FL
- Sophie “Tu Chaparrita” Vasquez, 36, Atlanta, GA
- Whispering Wind Bear Spirit, 41, York, PA
- Danika “Danny” Henson, 31, Baltimore, MD
- Serenity Hollis, 24, Albany, GA
- Oliver “Ollie” Taylor, 17, OR
- Thomas Hardin, 35, York, SC
- Haven A Bailey, 25, Villa Park, IL
- Poe Black, 21, Niland, CA
- EJ Boykin, 23, Lynchburg, VA
- Aidelen Evans, 24, Port Arthur, TX
- Taya Ashton, 20, Washington DC
- Shai Vanderpump, 23, Trenton, NJ
- Tierramarie Lewis, 36, Cleveland, OH
- Miss CoCo, 44, Dallas, TX
- Pooh Johnson, 25, Shreveport, LA
- Zoey Rose Martinez, 20, Maple Valley, WA
- Disaya Monaee, 32, Dolton, IL
- Brianna Hamilton, 25, Chicago, IL
- Kier Lapri Kartier, 21, Arlington, TX
- Royal Poetical Starz, 26, Miami Gardens, FL
- Mel Groves, 25, Jackson, MS
- Rikkey Outumuro “Tru Starlet”, 39, Centralia, WA
- Jessi Hart, 42, Banks, OR
- Marquiisha Lawrence, 28, SC
- Jenny De Leon, 25, Tampa, FL
- Jo Acker, 26, Boise, ID
- Dani Boachie 33, Chicago, IL
- DeeDee Thomas, 42, New York, NY
- Brianna Maritza Marquez, 26 Houston TX
- Natasha Keianna, 37, Detroit, MI
- Rubi Dominguez, 29, Arlington, TX
- Krys Brandon Ruiz, 26 Lompoc CA
- KC Wilson, Washington, D.C.
If you need support in these difficult times, you can reach out to the Anti-Violence Project at Center on Halsted. The Anti-Violence Project team can be reached by calling 773–871-CARE (2273) and emailing avp@centeronhalsted.org.
