NCAVP mourns the homicide of Sherrell Faulkner, a Black transgender woman killed in Charlotte, North Carolina; the11th reported killing of a transgender person of color NCAVP has responded to in 2017

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) mourns the death of Sherrell Faulkner, a Black transgender woman, killed in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to media reports, Sherrell was found beside a dumpster on November 30th, 2016 with trauma from an assault. She passed away from injuries related to that assault on May 16th, 2017. Sherell's cousin took to Facebook to mourn the loss of her cousin and say she was an "angel."

"We send our love and thoughts to the friends, family and loved ones of Sherrell Faulkner," said Beverly Tillery, Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "As a society we call on everyone one of us to do our part to speak out against this violence and help stop this epidemic. Let's commit to hiring transgender people of color, making sure they have safe places to live, standing up when we see or hear trans people demeaned and attacked, and simply valuing their lives."

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.