LGBTQ+ Stories
Remembering the 48 transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people killed so far in 2021
11.20.2021
2021 is the deadliest year on record for transgender people in the United States. On Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20, we honor the transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people whose lives have been cut short far too soon.
So far in 2021, at least 48 trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people have been killed—37 have been killed with a gun.
On Trans Day of Remembrance and and every day, we honor the lives of those killed
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January 6, 2021
Chicago, ILTyianna Alexander was 28 years old when she was shot and killed in Chicago on January 6. Her friends described her as the “life of every party”; “Such a sweet person with a good heart.”
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January 9, 2021
Tujillo Alto, PRSamuel Edmund Damián Valentín, a trans man, was fatally shot in Tujillo Alto, Puerto Rico on January 9. He was excited to start a new year, posting on social media that he was “grateful for all the experiences who [taught] me how strong we really are.”
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January 17, 2021
Atlanta, GABianca “Muffin” Bankz, a young Black trans woman, was shot to death on January 17 in Atlanta, Georgia. Bianca had been nicknamed Muffin by her close friends because of her love for blueberry muffins. One of her dreams was to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
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January 25, 2021
Jackson, MSDominique Jackson, a Black trans woman, was shot and killed in Jackson, Missouri on January 25. She was the founder of The Ladi Redd Inc.
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January 28, 2021
Baton Rouge, LAFifty Bandz, a Black trans woman, was shot and killed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by a man with whom she had been in a relationship for more than a year, according to local media reports. She was just 21 years old.
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February 4, 2021
Miami, FLAlexus “Kimmy Icon” Braxton, a 45-year-old Black trans woman, was shot and killed in Miami, Florida in February. She was a hairstylist, according to her Facebook, where she posted frequently. She had recently posted saying “they can’t stop my shine.”
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February 18, 2021
Wilmington, PAChyna Carrillo, a 24-year-old trans Latina, was killed in Pennsylvania. She was a certified nursing assistant. A friend and coworker said, “whenever I was around Chyna and I knew I was working with her, it just felt like my world would light up.”
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February 22, 2021
Ambridge, PAJeffery “JJ” Bright, a 16-year-old trans boy, and his nonbinary sibling, 22-year-old Jasmine Cannady, were shot and killed on February 22. Their mother was charged with criminal homicide.
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February 24, 2021
Jacksonville, NCJenna Franks, a trans woman, was 34 years old when she was killed in Jacksonville, North Carolina, in February. Friends and family described her as “sweet” and “a rock star.”
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March 3, 2021
Cincinnati, OHDiamond Kyree Sanders, a Black trans woman, was just 23 when she was shot and killed in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 3. Her family described her as “beloved,” someone who valued her family and loved spending time with them.
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March 17, 2021
Los Angeles, CARayanna Pardo, a trans Latina, was 26 when she was killed in Los Angeles—her family said she was hit by a car while fleeing a group of people harassing her. Her brother said “Everybody should just love everybody. At the end of the day that’s all we have.”
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March 18, 2021
Port Arthur, TXAidelen Evans, a Black trans woman, was just 24 when she was killed in Port Arthur, Texas in March. Her grandmother said that she “will always be in my heart.”
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April 4, 2021
Charlotte, NCJaida Peterson, a Black trans woman, was killed in Charlotte, North Carolina at the beginning of April. She was 29 years old. Her sister wrote, “you are going to be truly missed and once again we love you always.”
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April 8, 2021
Springfield, MODominique Lucious, a Black trans woman, was shot and killed in Springfield, Missouri on April 8. She was 26 years old, and a fan of the TV show “Empire.” A friend wrote “You were fierce, glam, and hunny gorgeous! I love you now, tomorrow and forever.”
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April 15, 2021
Charlotte, NCRemy Fennell, a Black trans woman, was fatally shot in North Carolina in April. She was in her 20s & owned her own hairstyling business, Bosskreations. Her aunt said she was “a vibrant young transgender woman who was just trying to make it & was doing it.”
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April 21, 2021
Chicago, ILTiara Banks, a Black trans woman, was just 24 years old when she was shot and killed in Chicago while she was sitting alone in her car.
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April 23, 2021
Houston, TXIris Santos, a trans Latina, was just 22 when she was shot and killed in Houston. She loved theater and performing; her mother said “she wanted to go to Hollywood. She kept dreaming all the time, and [believed] that no one can take away your dreams.”
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April 24, 2021
Dallas, TXTiffany Thomas, a Black trans woman, was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas on April 24. She was 38 years old; friends and family described her as someone who had a “big heart.”
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April 30, 2021
Milpitas, CANatalia Smüt, a 24-year old trans Black Latina and drag performer, was killed in April in Northern California by a man who was in a relationship with her, according to reports. “She would step into a room like a firework,” a childhood friend said.
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May 1, 2021
Clearwater, FLKeri Washington, a Black trans woman, was 49 years old when she was killed in Clearwater, Florida on May 1. A friend paid tribute to her on Facebook, writing “Rest easy Keri Washington aka Bobo we love U.”
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May 2, 2021
Boston, MAJahaira M. DeAlto, a 42-year-old trans woman, was killed in Boston, Massachusetts on May 2. She was a well-known and beloved transgender advocate, and a member of the ballroom community in the House of Balenciaga.
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May 2, 2021
York, SCThomas Hardin was a 35-year-old Black trans woman who was killed on May 2 in York, South Carolina. Friends shared that Thomas identified as a woman and used both he and she pronouns. They remembered Thomas as someone who “always kept you laughing.”
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May 3, 2021
York, PAWhispering Wind Bear Spirit, a 41-year-old non-binary Indigenous person, was shot and killed in York, Pennsylvania on May 3. Friends described them as “a beautiful and kind soul.”
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May 4, 2021
Brookhaven, GASophie Vásquez, a trans Latina, was shot and killed in Brookhaven, Georgia, on May 4. A friend described Sophie as “the kindest person on the planet.” She was a part of Community Estrella, a group working to support trans people in the Atlanta area.
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May 4, 2021
Baltimore, MDDanika “Danny” Henson, a 31-year-old Black trans woman, was fatally shot in Baltimore in May. According to family, Danika also may have identified as genderfluid & had just begun transitioning. A friend remembered Danika as “the embodiment of love.”
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May 8, 2021
Albany, GASerenity Hollis, a Black trans woman, was just 24 when she was shot and killed in Georgia. She was originally from Orlando, Florida, and had moved to Albany, Georgia, in 2019. Her mother said “the person that’s responsible has no idea what they took from us.”
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May 12, 2021
Gervais, OROliver “Ollie” Taylor, a trans teen, was just 17 years old when he was shot and killed after being kidnapped in Gervais, Oregon. His family described him as “such an amazing child with a quirky sense of humor, who impacted so many people.”
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May 24, 2021
Villa Park, ILA police officer in Villa Park, Illinois shot and killed Haven A. Bailey, a 25-year-old trans man, on May 24. Friends remembered Haven as someone who “found peace in spending time fishing” and an “avid Pokemon trainer.”
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June 8, 2021
Sonoran Desert, CAPoe Black, a trans Indigenous man, was just 21 years old when he was killed in California in May. According to friends, he had a history of activism, and his cousin described him as “a young, beautiful soul.”
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June 12, 2021
Cleveland, OHTierramarie Lewis, a Black trans woman, was 26 when she was fatally shot in Ohio. She had moved to Cleveland the year prior for a fresh start. A friend said: “one day she would have purple hair, one day pink… & always an outfit to go with those colors.”
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July 14, 2021
Lynchburg, VAEJ Boykin AKA Novaa Watson, a 23-year-old Black trans man, was shot and killed in Lynchburg, Virginia on June 14. He had just celebrated his birthday a few days prior. A friend said, “He was one of those people that was just good vibes and energy.”
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July 17, 2021
Suitland, MDTaya Ashton, a 20-year-old Black trans woman, was shot and killed at her apartment in Maryland in July. She hoped to become an entrepreneur and had started an Instagram account to market her new clothing boutique the week before she died.
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July 30, 2021
Trenton, NJShai Vanderpump, a Black trans woman, was just 23 years old when she was shot and killed in Trenton, New Jersey in July. She was reportedly a vocal LGBTQ+ advocate in New Jersey, and friends described her as having a “heart of gold.”
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August 7, 2021
Dallas, TXCoCo Chanel Wortham, a Black trans woman, was fatally shot in Dallas, Texas in August. She was 44 years old when she was killed; a friend described her as “a giving and kind person who never said no to anyone.”
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August 31, 2021
Shreveport, LAPooh Johnson, a Black trans woman, was 25 years old when she was fatally shot in Shreveport, Louisiana on August 23. She was an accomplished makeup artist under the name Titanizer, and referred to her clients as having been “titanized.”
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August 31, 2021
Zoella “Zoey” Rose Martinez, a trans Latina, was 20 years old when she was fatally shot in Maple Valley, WA on August 31. Her family described her as having “a beautiful spirit, she always had a smile and had only kind words to say about others.”
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September 6, 2021
Chicago, ILDisaya Monaee, a Black trans woman, was shot and killed in an Illinois motel on September 6. Her mother said, “She loved to dress, she loved to party, she loved to cook, she loved to do her hair, she loved to take care of people. She’s been like that ever since she was little.”
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September 17, 2021
Chicago, ILBriana Hamilton, a Black trans woman, was 25 years old when she was shot and killed in Chicago in September. Her mother described her as “an amazing person who touched so many people’s hearts with her presence and her memory will forever live on.”
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September 30, 2021
Arlington, TXKiér Laprí Kartier, a Black trans woman, was just 21 years old when she was fatally shot in Arlington, Texas on September 30. She was remembered by loved ones as a “ball of joy,” and her best friend said that “everybody just loved who she was.”
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October 2, 2021
Miami Gardens, FLRoyal Poetical Starz, a Black trans woman, was shot and killed in Florida on October 2. She was 26 years old, and was known as the life of the party. “Her infectious smile and bigger than life personality brightened every room that she walked into.”
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October 11, 2021
Jackson, MSMel Groves, a 25-year-old Black trans man, was fatally shot in Jackson, Mississippi on October 11. He was studying plant & soil science at Alcorn State University, and a friend described him as “the definition of a tree hugger.”
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October 17, 2021
Banks, ORJessi Hart, a trans woman, was 42 years old when she was killed in Oregon. She and her son were living in a motel after bouncing between women’s shelters and a friend’s apartment. Her girlfriend said, “She was intelligent and thoughtful and caring, and I loved her quirks.”
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October 26, 2021
Boise, IDJo Acker, a trans woman, was 26 years old when she was killed in a shooting at Boise Towne Square mall, where she was working security. According to her family, she ran toward the gunman to stop him. They said she was “the type of person that always wanted to help people.”
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October 31, 2021
Centralia, WARikkey Outumuro, a trans Latina also known under her drag name, Tru Starlet, was fatally shot in October. She was a beloved member of the Washington LGBTQ+ community, and a friend described her as “an incredible advocate for the queer and trans community.”
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November 2, 2021
Tampa, FLJenny De Leon, a 25-year-old trans Latina, was found dead in Tampa, Florida on November 2. She attended PFLAG Tampa meetings when she began transitioning. A friend said, “Jenny was an enigmatic, bright soul with enough energy to fill any room.”
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November 4, 2021
Greenville, SCMarquiisha Lawrence, a 28-year-old Black trans woman, was shot and killed in her home in Greenville, SC on November 4. Her trans mom said, “She will forever be remembered by her infectious smile and her heart of gold.”
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November 11
Aliquippa, PAAngel Naira, a 36-year-old Black trans woman, was shot and killed in her home in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania on November 11. She is remembered by friends as “fearless and fabulous” and that she “always had a smile on [her] face.”
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