NCAVP mourns the intimate partner violence related homicide of India Monroe, a transgender woman of color killed in Newport News, Virginia; the 23rd reported killing of a transgender/gender non-conforming person NCAVP responded to in 2016.
The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) has learned of the intimate partner violence related homicide of India Monroe, a Black transgender woman killed in Newport News, Virginia on December 19th 2016. Original media initially misgendered Monroe, who was found dead in a home along with Mark Gray; both had died of gunshot wounds. According to a more recent article, Monroe's death has been determined a homicide and police are investigating it as a domestic incident. On social media, India's friends remembered her life and her sense of style, saying that she liked "looking amazing" and that she was always "so sweet and so kind and will truly be missed."
"We've responded to three reports of homicides in Virginia in the past ten weeks, and two of those people have been trans women of color and all three have been women of color. We're working hard in community to support folks while also continuing to work to prevent this violence from happening in the first place," said Stacie Vecchietti, Director at Virginia Anti-Violence Project. "Part of that work, in a larger context, is actively working against anti-trans legislation, such as the Physical Privacy Act that was introduced yesterday in the Virginia general assembly. Legislation like this reinforces the hate and fear that breeds violence against queer and transgender people in Virginia."
"We send our condolences to the family and friends of India Monroe, whose organizing efforts brought her story to national media attention," said Shelby Chestnut, Director of Community Organizing and Public Advocacy at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "As we end 2016 with the highest number of trans and gender nonconforming homicides ever recorded by NCAVP, and already having learned of one trans homicide in 2017, the LGBTQ community, allies, and media must, now more than ever, commit to reporting on and ending violence against transgender people."
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 2015, NCAVP responded to the homicides of 22 transgender and gender nonconforming people in total.This is the 23rd * reported killing of a transgender or gender non-conforming person that NCAVP responded to in 2016.
Along with India Monroe we have lost Noony Norwood, a Black transgender woman ( Richmond, VA ),Brandi Bledsoe, a Black transgender woman ( Cleveland, OH ), Jazz Alford, a Black transgender woman ( Birmingham, AL ), Crystal Edmonds, a Black transgender women ( Baltimore, MD ), T.T. Saffore, a Black transgender woman ( Chicago, IL ), Rae'Lynn Thomas, a Black transgender woman ( Columbus, OH ),Erykah Tijerina, a Latinx transgender woman ( El Paso, TX ), Dee Whigham, a Black transgender woman ( St. Martin. Mississippi ), Deeniquia Dodds, a Black transgender woman ( Washington, DC ), Goddess Diamond, a black transgender woman ( New Orleans, LA ), Amos Beede, a white transgender man ( Burlington, VT ), Mercedes Successful, a Black transgender woman ( Haines City, FLA ), Reese Walker, a Black Transgender Women ( Wichita, KS ), Keyonna Blakeney, a Black transgender woman ( Rockville, MD ), Shante Thompson, a Black transgender woman ( Houston, TX ), Jasmine Sierra, a Latin@ transgender woman ( Bakersfield, CA ), Monica Loera, a Latina transgender woman ( Austin, TX ), Kayden Clarke, a white transgender man ( Mesa, AZ ), Maya Young, a Black transgender woman ( Philadelphia, PA ), Demarkis Stamsberry, a Black transgender man ( Baton Rouge, LA ), Kedarie/Kandicee Johnson, a Black, gender-fluid 16-year-old ( Burlington, IA ) and Quartney Davia Dawsonn-Yochum, a Black transgender woman ( Los Angeles, CA ).
*NCAVP is looking into the homicide of Simon/Sierra Bush, a white genderqueer individual in Boise, Idaho. NCAVP responded to the death of Skye Mockabee earlier this year, but after research, do not believe her death was a homicide. NCAVP also looked into the death of Veronica Cano, a Black transgender woman, in San Antonio Texas, and Lexxi Sironen, a white transgender woman in Waterville, Maine, and at this time do not believe that their deaths were a result of homicide. We continue to send support to the loved ones of Simon/Sierra Bush, Skye Mockabee, Lexxi Sironen and Veronica Cano.
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 in
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.
