On September 12, in Charlotte, North Carolina, a tragic event unfolded when 27-year-old Kayla Rivers, a transgender woman of color, was found in a vehicle, the victim of a fatal shooting. This heartbreaking incident marked her as the 20th transgender individual murdered in 2017, a disheartening statistic that raises serious concerns about the state of our society. Seriously, America? Is this the reality we are facing? We must cultivate a culture of zero tolerance for hate in all its forms.
The Charlotte Observer reported that Kayla was killed by an 18-year-old local resident, Jameson Lee, who was apprehended shortly after the incident. This occurred just days before Charlotte was set to celebrate North Carolina Trans Pride 2017, an event designed to uplift the state’s transgender community.
The details surrounding Kayla’s murder are chilling, yet this kind of violence has sadly become increasingly common. GLAAD notes that 2015 and 2016 were the deadliest years for transgender individuals, and the trend appears to be continuing into 2017. Reflect on this: these individuals simply want to live authentically, love freely, and exist without fear for their safety.
While some of these murders may not yet be classified as hate crimes due to insufficient information regarding the assailants or their motives, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs has highlighted a disturbing multi-year trend. Transgender women face a significantly higher risk of violence than any other demographic. Take a moment to absorb that fact. It’s crucial to confront transphobia head-on; we must not condone or tolerate it from anyone in our lives, whether family, friends, or media.
Even more alarming is that a large proportion of these victims are women of color. As GLAAD points out, transgender women of color are disproportionately affected by transphobia, racism, and sexism, leading to alarming rates of poverty and homelessness. This is completely unacceptable. Violence against anyone based on their gender, race, or any other characteristic must cease immediately.
Transgender individuals, particularly those who are people of color, also face numerous daily challenges. A comprehensive survey from the National Center for Transgender Equality in 2015, which included responses from 28,000 individuals across all 50 states, revealed that transgender people are twice as likely to live in poverty compared to the general population. Among transgender people of color, that figure is three times higher.
Many respondents reported harassment at school, with 17% ultimately dropping out. One-third experienced housing discrimination due to their gender, and a similar proportion faced homelessness at some point in their lives. This situation is intolerable.
The statistic that stands out most alarmingly is that 40% of transgender individuals have attempted suicide—nearly nine times the national average. An additional 7% reported attempting suicide within the past year, a rate that is an astonishing twelve times the national average. To me, this represents another form of murder; if transgender individuals received the love, support, and understanding they genuinely deserve, we would see vastly different suicide statistics.
We cannot afford to wait any longer. It is imperative that we actively support our transgender brothers and sisters. If you find yourself feeling uncomfortable with gender diversity, it’s time to educate yourself and open your mind. Remember, someone living authentically does not affect your life in any negative way.
Transgender individuals are our fellow human beings, deserving of love, respect, and recognition just like anyone else. They are part of our communities, our families, and they are here to stay. No one should suffer due to hate, and we must commit to ensuring that no more lives are lost to violence.
#TransLivesMatter. Let’s stand together and reject hate in all its forms.
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Summary: This article highlights the alarming rise in violence against transgender individuals, particularly women of color. It underscores the urgent need for society to confront transphobia and support the LGBTQ+ community. The statistics regarding poverty and suicide rates among transgender individuals reveal systemic issues that require immediate action to foster understanding and acceptance.