7 Trans Women have been Murdered in 2017

Here's the latest on the trans murders in 2017

Ciara McElveen, was found stabbed to death on Monday in New Orleans 7th Ward. That homicide came only two days after another black transgender woman, Chyna Gibson, was shot and killed in New Orleans on Feb. 25, the Anti-Violence Project reports.

In Monroe, Lousiana Jaquarrius Holland was found murdered on Feb. 19, the Anti-Violence Project reports.

In Chicago, Keke Collier, also known to friends as Tiara Richmond, was shot to death on Feb. 22 while walking near her home in Chicago.

Earlier homicides involving transgender victims occurred Jan. 4, with the death of Mesha Caldwell, in Canton, Mississippi; the Jan. 6 death of Jamie Lee Wounded Arrow, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the Feb. 8 death of Jojo Striker, in Toledo, Ohio, according to data provided to Hatewatch by the Anti-Violence Project.

McElveen’s murder brings transgender killings up to the numbers reported at the same time last year, with transgender women targeted at a slightly higher rate than in previous years.

Because Ciara McElveen and Chyna Doll Dupree were killed in Louisiana, a state with hate crime laws that do not offer protections for gender identity, it is unlikely the charge will be pursued without federal support for the investigation. Keke Collier’s murder is the only one of the six carried out in a state with hate crime laws that protect transgender people.

Stop killing our sisters

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In Maryland: Transgender Woman found Dead in a Hotel Room

Keyonna Blakeney was found dead in a room of the Red Roof Inn on Shady Grove Road, Montgomery County, Maryland.

Police said they believe she was killed early that morning and ruled her death a homicide. At this time, there are no leads to her murder. She was only 22 years-old.

Rest in Peace, Keyonna.

Say Her Name: Amber Monroe

Another trans woman of color was killed this past weekend.

In Detroit, Amber Monroe was shot and found dead. With no place to go, Amber worked as a prostitute to survive. Detroit Police are investigating Amber's murder and at this time, they don't believe it was a lynching. There are no leads to Amber's murder.

Yvonne Siferd, Director of Victim Services, said this on Facebook:

“Our hearts are heavy with grief that we have lost another vibrant member of our community too soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Amber’s family and friends whom she clearly loved deeply. We have no idea yet whether this attack was fueled by transphobia, but we do know that Amber’s murder is the 12th murder of a transgender woman in the United States this year, and the 10th murder of a transgender woman of color. Transgender women, and especially transgender women of color, are disproportionately affected by violence. 

Her life was just beginning; I know that this loss will leave so many people with a hole in their lives and with more questions than answers. Let’s come together to celebrate her life, and work for real change so that our transgender sisters can be free from persecution. I know we can do better. We have to do better.”

Amber is the 12th trans woman of color murdered this year.