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WINDYCITYMEDIAGROUP

Trans woman of color killed in Indianapolis
2014-10-30


The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) has learned of the homicide of Tajshon Sherman, a transgender woman of color, whose body was discovered on October 26 in the East Indianapolis section of Indianapolis, Indiana.

According to local media reports, Tajshon's body was found at the Tudor Park condominiums late Sunday night with bleeding around the head, indicating trauma to the head. Police have ruled the death a homicide and are unsure if Sherman was killed where her body was discovered or if the body was moved afterwards.

"Tajshon Sherman's death makes it clear that there is an alarming epidemic of fatal violence against transgender and gender non-confirming women, specifically transgender women of color in the United States," said Osman Ahmed, NCAVP's Research and Education Coordinator at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "This violence is exacerbated by mis-gendering of victims by law enforcement and media outlets. We need immediate action on a national level to address the safety and security of transgender women in the United States."

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) most recent report released on May 29th, 2014, Hate Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Communities in the United States in 2013, documented 18 anti-LGBTQ homicides last year. 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.

With this latest homicide, NCAVP has responded to the deaths of nine transgender women of color in 2014:

June 3rd : the body of Kandy Hall was discovered in a field in northeast Baltimore in what local police believe to be a homicide.

June 12th: Zoraida Reyes's body was discovered behind a Dairy Queen in Anaheim, California. Her death has been ruled suspicious by investigators because it is believed her body was moved to that location, but has not yet been ruled a homicide.

June 19th: the body of Yaz'min Shancez was found behind a Budget Truck Rental on Powell Street in Fort Myers, Florida. According to local media reports, local police believe her death to be a homicide, and her body had been burned.

June 26th: Tiff Edwards was found shot to death in the middle of the road in Walnut Hills, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati.

July 16th: Mia Henderson was discovered in an alley in Baltimore, Maryland while police were serving a search warrant in the area. According to police, she appears to have died from trauma to the body, indicating homicide.

August 15th: An unidentified gender non-conforming person was the victim of a homicide in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit Police have arrested Eduardo Moss, who they believe was the victim's partner, in connection to this homicide. Local authorities also believe this homicide is connected to two other attacks against transgender women in Michigan in August.

September 7th: Alejandra Leos, a transgender woman of color, was shot outside her home following a domestic dispute that originated within the home. Marshall Pegues, age 21, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death.

October 2nd: Aniya Parker was fatally shot in the head in Los Angeles, California in what the police categorized as a botched robbery.

NCAVP has reached out to the Indiana Transgender Wellness Alliance to support the local communities affected by this violence.

"Violence against members of the Transgender community is not a myth, and Transgender Women of Color are particularly vulnerable. While the specifics of Tajshon's death have yet to be released, we know that members of the Transgender community are especially at risk for fatal violence," said Jacqueline Patterson Executive Director of the Indiana Transgender Wellness Alliance. "Indianapolis is clearly not immune to this terrifying phenomenon. The Indiana Transgender Wellness Alliance is saddened by this tragedy, opposes all acts of violence and extends our heartfelt condolences and support to Tajshon's family."

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.


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