On Feb. 25, New Orleans ballroom star Chyna Gibson AKA Chyna Doll Dupree became the fifth transgender woman of color murdered in 2017 and the sixth transgender/gender non-conforming individual to be killed since January 1.
Her death was reported by award-winning journalist Monica Roberts on her Trans Griot blog.
According to Roberts. Gibson's body was found in the parking lot of a New Orleans East shopping center. She had been shot multiple times. Originally from New Orleans, Gibson had moved to California but returned to her birthplace in order to celebrate Mardi Gras.
Roberts added that a local television news station WWL-TV misgendered Gibson in their original report.
Other news outlets except WWL updated their stories to the correct gender following Robert's post.
A memorial for Gibson was held Feb. 26.
Trans Griot article: www.transgriot.blogspot.com/2017/02/rest-in-power-and-peace-chyna-gibson.html .
NCAVP Press Release
NCAVP mourns the homicide of Chyna Gibson, a Black transgender woman killed in New Orleans, Louisiana; the 5th reported killing of a transgender/gender non-conforming person NCAVP has responded to in 2017
The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) mourns the death of Chyna Gibson, also known by her performing name, Chyna Doll Dupree, a Black transgender woman, killed in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 25, 2017. According to media reports, Chyna, a New Orleans native, was visiting for Mardi Gras and to see her family when she was shot and killed outside of a shopping center. Chyna was a well known and loved performer who toured the country. Following her homicide, there was an outpouring of support and memories of Chyna online. One friend said of Chyna: "My heart breaks as this community must find a way to honor you in death and begin to move forward. The stage will never be the same!"
BreakOUT!, an NCAVP member organization in New Orleans, issued the following statement on Chyna's homicide: "BreakOUT! is deeply saddened to hear the news of yet another trans woman of color murdered at the same time Penny Proud was killed last year. We are holding healing space for trans and gender non-conforming members while also strategizing ways to keep all trans people safe from both state and street level violence. We continue to assert that we need trans spaces, education, housing, and jobs to keep us safe."
"We send our thoughts and condolences to Chyna Gibson's friends and loved ones," said Shelby Chestnut, Director of Community Organizing and Public Advocacy at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "Chyna's is the 5th homicide of a transgender person AVP has responded to in 2017 - all five have been transgender women of color: Black and Native. These homicides are occurring within a national context where the Trump administration is signaling that they will not protect transgender lives or the lives of people of color. We must not be silent, in fact we must be louder and more active than ever in our support for our transgender communities, friends and family members."
NCAVP's most recent hate violence report, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Hate Violence in 2015, recorded 24 reported hate violence homicides of LGBTQ people, a 20% increase from the 20 reported anti-LGBTQ homicides in 2014. Of the 24 reported homicides, 62% of the victims were people of color. Sixteen (67%) of the 24 reported homicide victims were transgender and gender non-conforming. Of the total number of homicides, thirteen (54%) of the victims were transgender women of color.
In 2016, NCAVP responded to the homicides of 23 transgender and gender nonconforming people, the highest ever recorded by the Coalition.
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-affected violence. To learn more about our national advocacy and receive technical assistance or support, contact us at info@ncavp.org .
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.
