Trigger Warning: This blog will be discussing topics that might be very upsetting, such as gun violence, death, and transphobia. Specifically, it will be acknowledging trans people who have been victims of fatal, violent assault.
In 2020, we have seen at least 40 transgender or gender nonconforming people fatally shot or killed by other violent means. These victims are not just statistics. They were real people who deserved dignity, respect, life, and love. This is one of two blogs that will be used to recognize these beautiful lives that we lost this year.
Dustin Parker, a 25-year-old man, was shot to death while working as a taxi driver in McAlester, Oklahoma. A statement shared by Dustin’s employer on January 1st reads, “Dustin was a steadfast friend, an amazing husband and father and generous to a fault. He loved fiercely, worked tirelessly and took on life with so much hope and enthusiasm that his presence brightened all of our lives.” Dustin was a founding member of the McAlester chapter of a local LGBTQ+ advocacy grown called Oklahomans for Equality.
Alexa Negròn Luciano was a woman fatally shot in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico; she was killed hours after someone called the police to report that Ruiz was using the women’s restroom at a McDonald’s. According to Metro Puerto Rico, she was known as “humble” and “noble” by members of her community.
Yampi Méndez Arocho, a 19-year-old man, was killed in Moca, Puerto Rico on March 5th after allegedly being assaulted five hours earlier. He shared his love for basketball on social media and could often be seen donning apparel from his favorite NBA team, Miami heat. His Facebook bio read, “Humility Prevails.”
Scott Devore, a 51-year-old gender non-conforming person who also identified as Scottlynn Kelly Devore, was killed in March in Augusta, Georgia while presenting as Scottlynn. Many of Devore’s loved ones took to social media to share remembrances. One wrote, “I miss you so much…it still doesn’t seem real to me. You deserved so much better. I love you.” Another saying Scottlynn was “the best friend anyone could have.”
Monika Diamond, a 34-year-old black woman, was killed in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 18th. Monika spent her adult life creating community and spaces for LGBTQ+ people to come together and celebrate their lives and identities. She was the co-owner and founder of the Ncphyne Promotion Company LLC and the co-CEO of the International Mother of the Year Pageantry System, which is a pagent that honors LGBTQ chosen mothers like herself.
Lexi, a 33-year-old woman, was killed in Harlem, New York on March 28th. A friend of Lexi’s named Lavonia Brooks said, “I really looked up to her because of her tolerance and respect. Lexi had a beautiful heart; she was very gifted.” It has been noted that Lexi loved poetry, makeup, and fashion.
Johanna Metzger was a woman killed in Baltimore, Maryland on April 11th. She was originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and had traveled to Baltimore to seek support from a recovery center. Her mother told WMAR that Johanna taught herself to play multiple instruments and was a college graduate.
Serena Angelique Velàquez Ramos, a 32-year-old woman, was killed in Puerto Rico on April 21st alongside Layla Pelaez Sànchez while visiting the island on vacation. She was set to return to her home of Queens, New York, at the end of the month. On Facebook, she listed that she graduated from the Universidad del Turabo; she loved her pets, had a passion for exploring her spirituality through tarot readings, and maintained a YouTube channel where she taught her audience about this. She is described as being full of life, a happy person, and a sincere friend.
Layla Pelaez Sànchez was a 21-year-old woman killed in Puerto Rico on April 21st alongside Serena Angelique Velàquez Ramos. Layla had recently moved to the island and lived in the Tejas neighborhood in Las Piedras. She had hopes, dreams, and was loved deeply by the people in her life.
Penélope Díaz Ramírez, a 32-year-old woman, was killed April 13th at the Bayamon correctional complex in Puerto Rico. She was loved by her family and friends and deserved freedom and happiness in her life.
Nina Pop, a 28-year-old woman, was stabbed to death on May 3rd in Sikeston, Missouri. She worked at a fast food restaurant in the area and was well-known in her community. Her friend told a local TV station, “She was always happy.” Her friends and community are mourning the loss of her life, sharing on Facebook that everyone loved her.
Helle Jae O’Regan, a 20-year-old woman, was killed in San Antonio, Texas on May 6th while working at a local barbershop. Helle was proud of her trans identity, having posted this on Instagram during Trans Day of Visibility: “I was looking at the pictures I used to take before I transitioned versus now and it made me realize I’m way happier than I used to be. I love myself now. Thank you to everyone who’s ever supported me and to anyone who hasn’t I hope you come around. I’m happy and proud to be myself.” She often spoke out against LGBTQ+ inequality, the need to decriminalize sex work, and the prison industrial complex. She was described as a caring friend who always had a smile on her face.
Tony McDade, a 38-year-old man, was killed in Tallahassee, Florida, on May 27th; the details around his death have been described as “murky” by several sources, but it is suspected that Tony was a victim of police brutality. His loved ones have expressed their mourning online. One said, “You have such a big heart…Just your energy would life my spirits.” Another wrote, “The bond that we all held from the #Feds2TheFree some people will never understand but when you tried you tried. I can only thank god for letting us hear your voice one last time and you saying you love us.”
Dominique “Rem-mie” Fells, a 27-year-old woman, was killed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on June 9th. Dominique was originally from York and had a very close relationship with her mother, who says, “She lived her truth so loud that you could hear her a mile away.” Dominique had dreams of going back to school to become a fashion designer, and she was also a dancer and artist. A friend wrote online, “Dom was a unique and beautiful soul who I am lucky to have known personally. I am beside myself right now. We need to fight!! We need to do more!!!! We will get justice.”
Riah Milton, a 25-year-old woman, was killed in Liberty Township, Ohio on June 9th. Riah worked as a home health aide and studied at the University of Cincinnati. She was a loving sister and aunt. She was a resilient and optimistic person, having once posted the status: “Never been scared to struggle…Imma get it eventually.”
Jayne Thompson, a 33-year-old woman, was shot to death in Mesa County, Colorado on May 9th. Unfortunately, it took the media over a month to correctly identify Jayne with her real name and pronouns, so she was not immediately recognized as a victim of transphobic violence. Jayne’s friends remembered her as an amazing person who was funny and lively, and one told them, “I hope that people realize she was thoroughly loved and cared for.”
Selena Reyes-Hernandez, a 37-year-old woman, was shot to death in Chicago, Illinois on May 31st upon revealing her identity to her assailant. Attempts to contact her family have been unsuccessful, so details about her life and loved ones are not known by the media. She was a beautiful, powerful person who should still be here today.
Brian “Egypt” Powers, a 43-year-old person, was killed in Akron, Ohio on June 13th. According to reports, Brian identified as transgender, but continued to use he/him pronouns and his birth name, though he also used the name Egypt. As a child, Brian dreamed of becoming a backup dancer for Janet Jackson or Paula Abdul, and as an adult, he turned his passion for cooking into a career. A friend said, “He was spiritual. He knew God loved him. I always told him ‘God made you and he knew what he was doing when he made you…You are who you are supposed to be.'”
Brayla Stone, a 17-year-old girl, was found killed in Little Rock, Arkansas on June 25th. Brayla was a child, just beginning to live her life; a young, black, trans girl who had hopes, dreams, plans, and community. The Center for Artistic Revolution hosted a vigil for Brayla on June 29th and said, “Brayla was someone who always held space for others to be themselves and express their identities.”
Merci Mack, a 22-year-old woman, killed in Dallas, Texas on June 30th. On Facebook, Merci shared that she liked baking cookies at home and relaxing in the jacuzzi; she posted about how excited she was to return to her job at a local restaurant, which had been closed due to COVID-19. Her loved ones described her as a beautiful friend.
These people had friends, families, and partners, and they were valued members of their communities. They had jobs, were enrolled in school, and attended houses of worship. They were human beings. As we mourn those lost in 2020, we must continue to work towards justice and equality for transgender and gender non-conforming people.
