THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

"The National LGBTQ Task Force is outraged by the murders of Ms. Edwards, Lamia Beard, and Ty Underwood. The level of violence against black transgender women in this country is unconscionable and part of an ongoing epidemic which birthed the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Together as a nation, we must continue to stand up against the ongoing systematic violence and educate the public about the real harm caused by discrimination. We also call upon local authorities in Louisville, Norfolk, and Tyler to swiftly investigate their murders and bring justice to the murdered transgender women, their loved ones, and to their communities. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ms. Edwards's, Ms. Beard's, and Ms. Underwood's friends and family," said National LGBTQ Task Force Deputy Executive Director Darlene Nipper.

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs reports that in 2013, 67% of all victims of deadly anti-LGBT violence were transgender women of color. In 2014 alone, twelve transgender women of color were murdered. According the National Transgender Discrimination Survey, transgender people are especially vulnerable to violence because of the discrimination they face in all aspects of their lives, from employment to housing to education to healthcare, and are five times more likely to live in extreme poverty—making less than $10,000 a year—than the general population.

Last year, the organization launched #StopTransMurders, a public education campaign to raise the voices of transgender activists and allies working to end anti-transgender violence. The National LGBTQ Task Force also joined the TransLatin@ Coalition, Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement, Lambda Legal, El/LA Para Trans Latinas, and advocates from across the country in a National Day of Action last November to call for an end to anti-transgender violence and homicides.

To learn more about the National LGBTQ Task Force, visit us online at: www.thetaskforce.org .