The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has learned of the homicide of Domonique Newburn, a transgender woman of color found brutally killed in her apartment in Fontana, California on August 21st. Local authorities have not released a suspected motive for Newburn's homicide, but recent reports suggest it may have been hate motivated or intimate partner violence. An unnamed suspect was seen fleeing the apartment shortly before police arrived at Newburn's apartment. A vigil for Newburn was held on Wednesday, August 21st in Fontana, California.
NCAVP's most recent report, Hate Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Communities in the United States in 2012, documented 25 anti-LGBTQ murders. 73.1% of all anti-LGBTQ homicide victims in 2012 were people of color and 53.8% were transgender women. NCAVP's 2011 report on intimate partner violence in the LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities documented 19 intimate partner violence (IPV) homicides, the highest yearly total ever recorded by the coalition and more than three times the 6 documented homicides in 2010.
"We are troubled to learn of the death of Domonique Newburn," said Chai Jindasurat, Co-Director of Community Organizing and Public Advocacy at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "While we are still waiting to confirm the motive of the homicide, we know that transgender people and people of color are disproportionately impacted by severe and deadly violence. We must join together and continue to do all we can to prevent and end this violence."
NCAVP has reached out to the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and local community members in Fontana, California, to offer our assistance to support the community during this critical time.
"We're deeply saddened to hear about the death of Domonique Newburn and send our condolences to her family and friends," says Jake Finney, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Anti-Violence Project Manager. "It's tragic to see yet another transgender victim of violence in the news. And the wave of violence against transgender women of color is especially disturbing. The majority of transgender crime victims seeking our services are transgender women of color. There's clearly much more work that needs to be done to prevent violence against the most vulnerable members of our community, which is part of the work that the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Anti-Violence Project does. We educate the community, train professionals, and support and provide services to anyone impacted by violence against the LGBT community."
For more information, or to report violence you have experienced or witnessed, call the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Anti-Violence Project at (800)373-2227.
NCAVP is a resource for anyone who experiences violence. For more information, or to locate an anti-violence program in your area, please contact us at info@ncavp.org or visit us online. Join NCAVP in our efforts to prevent and respond to LGBTQ and HIV-related violence. To learn more about our national advocacy and receive technical assistance or support, contact us at info@ncavp.org .
If you are a member of the media, please contact: Chai Jindasurat, cjindasurat@avp.org or (212)714-1184.
NCAVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and HIV-affected communities. NCAVP is a national coalition of local member programs and affiliate organizations who create systemic and social change. NCAVP is a program of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.