New Everytown Data on Transgender Homicides Reveals Concentration in the South

NEW YORK — Today, Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund released new data on homicides of transgender and gender-expansive people revealing a disproportionate density in the South. The new data was first revealed earlier today in The Advocate. Key findings from the report include:

• In 2023, there were 35 homicides of transgender or gender-expansive people.  80% of these were with a gun. Black trans women face the bulk of this violence: in 2023, 50% of gun homicides were of Black trans women. 
• Between 2017 and 2023, there were 263 homicides of transgender or gender-expansive people. 
• From 2017 to 2023, 73% of these people were killed with a gun. 
• From 2017 to 2023,  more than six in 10 gun homicides of transgender and gender-expansive people (63%) were of Black trans Women.
• One in 10 gun homicides of transgender and gender-expansive people were of trans Latinas.
• Intimate partner and family violence affect trans people—at least 19% of violent deaths of trans people were at the hands of an intimate partner or family member. 68% of these deaths were with a gun.
• This violence is not evenly spread throughout the US—44% of homicides of transgender and gender-expansive people occurred in the South.
• 34% of gun homicides of transgender and gender expansive people remain unsolved.
• This violence disproportionately impacts young people— 57% of victims were under the age of 30. 

“It’s crucial to remember that behind every data point in this report, there is a real person whose life was cut short because they were simply trying to live as their most authentic selves,” said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. “We don’t have to accept these tragedies as our reality. Everyone deserves to live a life free from gun violence, regardless of where they live, who they love, or who they are. The disproportionate violence against trans and gender-expansive people, especially Black trans women, is made all the more deadly because of weak gun safety laws. Our movement will keep pushing for common-sense legislation that keeps everyone safe, especially the most vulnerable in our community.” 

More from The Advocate:

“We started tracking the homicides of transgender and gender-expansive people in 2017 because there was very little understanding of the link between gun violence and violence against the transgender community,” said Sarah Burd-Sharps, Senior Director of Research at Everytown for Gun Safety. “Nearly half of these incidents involving guns are in the south, in southern states.”

“It’s a combination of weak legislation on hate crimes and the kind of new [anti-LGBTQ+] legislation that state governments are considering and passing that target transgender people for unequal treatment.”

“Transgender homicides should matter to everyone, not just those within the LGBTQ+ community. We live in communities, we live in neighborhoods, and I’m not just saying that you could take a bullet because you happen to be in proximity of it, but you are part of a community where these crimes are occurring.”

Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund has tracked homicides of transgender and gender expansive people in the U.S. since 2017, which now has updated data through 2023. In addition to breaking down gun violence to the state- and county level, the platform includes a database of known trans or gender-expansive homicide victims in the United States. 

Set against the backdrop of a concerted movement to loosen existing firearm laws, this growing hatred against queer individuals is a recipe for hate-motivated gun violence against LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender individuals. There is an already clear disproportionate effect of gun violence on queer communities. 

The past few years have seen a jump in gun sales at the same time as record homicide rates in cities, unprecedented levels of gun violence on school grounds, increased incidences of road rage, and much more. And unsurprisingly, this devastating trend has found its way to the trans community. 

Now more than ever, states desperately need to pass common-sense gun safety laws, but instead, legislators across the country are systematically working to remove laws fundamental to public safety. 

To speak with an expert at Everytown about our research on transgender homicides and disarming hate, do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected].