The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) has learned of the homicide of Ty Underwood, a transgender woman of color, in Tyler, Texas. According to local media reports, Ty Underwood was found shot to death early Monday morning on January 26th, after a woman called 911 to say a car had hit a telephone pole and that her children had heard gunshots. Her loved ones are speaking out, saying that they believe this was a hate crime.
This is the second death of a transgender woman of color that NCAVP has responded to in 2015. Lamia Beard was found shot to death ten days ago on January 17th in Norfolk, Virginia. In 2014, NCAVP responded to the deaths of twelve transgender women of color.
"The death of Ty Underwood, the second transgender woman of color to be killed in 2015, is a tremendous loss, and our thoughts are with her loved ones today," said Chai Jindasurat, Co-Director of Community Organizing and Public Advocacy at the New York City Anti Violence Project. "That these homicides are occurring with such frequency should be a wakeup call to all that we need immediate action on a national level to address this epidemic of disproportionate violence that transgender women of color face."
The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs' ( NCAVP ) most recent report, Hate Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Communities in the United States in 2013, documented 18 anti-LGBTQ homicides in 2013. Of those homicide victims, almost 90% were people of color. Almost three-quarters ( 72% ) of homicide victims were transgender women, and more than two-thirds ( 67% ) were transgender women of color.
NCAVP has been working with Trans Pride Initiative in Dallas, Texas to support the local communities affected by this violence.
"Trans Pride Initiative learned this morning of the homicide and possible hate crime of Ty Underwood in Tyler, Texas," said Nell Gaither, President of Trans Pride Initiative. "We stand with Ty's family and friends in their request that anyone who may know about the crime step forward with information, and that the person who committed this homicide is apprehended quickly."