80 percent of LGBT people killed are People of Color

This hits so hard

According to the most recent report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 80 percent of the LGBT people killed in America are people of color.

Here's more

"We are still closeted within our community that, unfortunately, may still deny we still exist," says Ari Gutiérrez with the Latino Equality Alliance. "We've seen bullying in the school environment, and then take that out to the community-level."

Gutiérrez says many pockets of cultures – including here in Southern California – still harbor fearful and violent views towards LGBT people, and she talks with communities in their native tongue to open up their minds.

"I think we're a vulnerable target," she says.

LGBT people are also less likely to trust law enforcement to help them, believing it will lead to more harassment by officers.

Just last week, for example, a transgender woman in Santa Ana was shot in the back by an assailant. She survived her injuries, but also didn't cooperate with authorities to find the perpetrator.

But Gutiérrez says the tragedy in Orlando should serve a wake-up call – to LGBT people and others – that this should not continue.

"It just happens so often," she says. "You see these young people being victimized, not because of what they were doing or they were in the wrong place, it's just because of who they are."

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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.

Former Knicks Draft Pick Michael Wright Murdered, possibly from a Grindr Hook-Up!

Good Lord...

I just learned that former Arizona Wildcat/ Knicks draft pick, Michael Wright was murdered in the back of his Lexus SUV. Police believes he was killed by a man he met on Grindr.

Here's more:

Wright was found dead from a head wound inside his Lexus SUV on E. 16th St. in Midwood about 11 a.m. Tuesday, officials said. His body was covered in black garbage bags.

Autopsy results had not been released Wednesday evening, but police are investigating his death as a homicide, law enforcement sources said.

Michael Wright, a former Arizona Wildcat who had been drafted by the Knicks and recently was playing overseas, was found dead Tuesday in his SUV in Brooklyn.
Wright’s grieving family was left bewildered.

“We are in disbelief,” Wright’s cousin Randolph Berry, 40, of Chicago told the News. “They’re telling us it’s foul play. His mom is on her way to New York now.”

Berry said he didn’t know why someone would hurt his cousin, who on the court was an imposing 6-foot-8 power forward.

“He’s a gentle giant,” Berry said. “He was a good person.”

Hopefully, the killer will be found. Be careful with those apps.

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Say Her Name: Zella Ziona

Zella Ziona is the 21st transgender/gender-nonconforming person murdered this year.

In Gaithersburg, Maryland, Zella was shot in the head in an alley between Montgomery Village Plaza and the Montgomery Village Crossing shopping centers.

Later on, Montgomery County Department of Police has identified and arrested Rico Hector Leblond in connection with Zella's murder. A witness claimed that 4 or 5 men surrounded and Rico pulled the gun.

He has been charged with first-degree murder and is being held without bond.

To Zella's family and friends, my heart goes out to you.

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In Detriot: Black Gay Man was Murdered Where Previous Trans Women were Killed - VIDEO

Say her name: Keisha Jenkins

Another transgender woman of color was murdered this past week.

In North Philly, 22-year-old Keisha Jenkins was attacked by gang of men and found on the sidewalk. Keisha was beaten and then shot twice in the back by these men. She was taken to a hospital, where she later died.

At this time we don't know anything about why she was attacked, and the police are not called it a hate crime until more investigation is done.

Here's the news report


Keisha was a Philadelphia native and attended Temple University. Her friends said that she was a great and a determined person. Keisha will be greatly missed within her community.

Three Trans Women of Color found dead Last Week

Three more trans women of color were found dead this past week.

Tamara Dominguez
Kandis Capri
Elisha Walker

BuzzFeed News reports on how these women were killed:

Dominguez was hit by a car and run over around 3 a.m. local time on Saturday morning in a church parking lot in Kansas City, Missouri, police told local station KCTV. Authorities said she was run over at least three times and her death is being investigated as a possible hate crime. A police spokesperson was not immediately available for comment on Tuesday.
“[The killer] doesn’t know she has family,” Dominguez’s friend Juan Rendon told KCTV. “She had her mom. She had her nephews, brothers, and sisters that person didn’t think about what he did.”
Justin Shaw, executive director at the Kansas City Anti-Violence Project, said he was devastated by Dominguez’s death. “Our hearts are heavy with grief that another member of our community was taken too soon,” Shaw said in a statement. A GoFundMe has been establish to help the Dominguez family return her body to Mexico and pay for her funeral.

Capri, 35, was shot outside of an apartment in Phoenix, Arizona, around 11.30 p.m. local time on Aug. 11. Capri’s mother, Andria Gaines, told the Guardian that police said her child was shot three to four times.
AZCentral.com reported Capri was taken to a hospital where she died from her injuries. Gaines said her child’s transgender identity makes her wonder if Capri was killed as part of a hate crime.
“He identified as transgender,” Gaines told the newspaper. “Initially I was against it, but eventually I determined that was my child and I still loved him and I accepted him as he was.”

Walker was reported missing in November from Salisbury, North Carolina. Local gang member Angel Dejesus Arias, 23, was identified as a person of interest in Walker’s disappearance after her burnt-out car was found, Rowan County Sheriff officials told BuzzFeed News in a statement. In July, authorities began using a cadaver-detecting dog in the search for Walker’s remains. But it wasn’t until last Thursday, during the search of a residence near Smithfield that officials discovered Walker’s body in a shallow “crude grave” in woods behind the house.
Arias has since been charged with murder and felony larceny of a motor vehicle.

When will this end?

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.

Say Her Name... India Clarke

We have lost another trans woman...

25-year-old India Clarke was found dead near a community basketball courts in Tampa, Florida. She was beaten to death and just left there... India is the 10th trans woman who has been murdered in the U.S. this year alone.

India was also misgendered in the media and the police. They was using the name she no longer use. Not cool folks, say her name. The name she wanted.

There are no leads as of yet, however, friends of India was demanding answers.

Please be careful of there.

We have already lost 3 Trans women 2015

Not a good start for 2015.

Lamia and Ty

3 Trans women have been murdered this month.

30 year-old Lamia Beard from Norfolk, Virginia was a talented artist and just earned a full scholarship to Bethune Cookman College. On January 17th, she was shot and she died in the Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

24 year-old Ty Underwood from Tyler, Texas was just accepted to Kilgore College’s nursing program. On January 26th, Ty was found dead in her car from 3 gunshot wounds.

And late yesterday, I learned from TransGriot that 20 year-old Goddess Edwards, 20, of Indianapolis, Kentucky, was recently murdered. I will not post her mugshot, BTW

It's very sad that these women were murdered and we have no suspect in custody. But what's really bothering me is how the media continues to misgender these women. In the press, they are putting their male names in the articles! Is it so hard to use the names they want folks to know them by? It shouldn't be at all.

Then, cops and reports are linking their lives to prostitution. I'm sorry, but not all trans women are hookers. The fact that they were linked to prostitution is disrespectful. These women were murdered, killed for being who they are. Can the media and the cops show some respect?

UPDATE in the Texas Lesbian Murder Case: Britney Cosby's Father was Involved

An interesting turn of events in the Britney Cosby and Crystal Jackson murders. I posted earlier this week that the Lesbian couple were murdered and their bodies were placed near a dumpster.

Well, there has been an arrest made in connection with the murders... Britney's father.

James Larry Cosby is charged with two counts of tampering with evidence in connection with the deaths of his daughter and Crystal Jackson. The Galveston County Sheriff's Office claims the murders happened in James Cosby's home.

James will be charged for more things, but if this true... You know, I do know what to say. Why would he do this?  Right now, James is currently being held in the Galveston County Jail on a total of $500,000.00 in bonds.

More to come

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In Texas: A Lesbian Couple found Dead near a Dumpster

This is so disturbing and sad.

A Black lesbian couple, Crystal Jackson and Britney Cosby were murdered in Galveston County, Texas. There bodies were found near a dumpster this past Friday.

Right now, no one knows why this happened. Also the detectives think the women were murdered elsewhere and their bodies moved. According to the same reports, Crystal and Britney were murdered in different ways. It’s not clear if this was a hate crime.

ABC News affiliate, KTRK-TV, asked if anyone has information regarding the victims’ deaths please call the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 866-248-8477.

Crystal and Britney were together for about two years, raising Crystal's 5 year-old daughter.

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In Peru: A Young Gay man is Dismembered and Burned

This is horrible news. A young gay man was brutally murdered in Peru. Joel Sanchez Molero was beheaded, his genitals, fingers and toes were cut off and then his body was set on fire. He was only identified by a wristband on his right hand.

He was murdered a few weeks ago, but the story is now reaching the press. Police was given a lead from a video at a nightclub. Joel was approached by Jorge Luis Sánchez Dávila on the night he was killed. The police took Jorge into custody and questioned him. Jorge admit to the murder, but get this, claimed he did it out of self-defense. Self-defense? Is this guy for real?

Police officials are looking to see if Jorge had any help in this brutal killing. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Joel.

In Detroit: A Trans Woman was found dead in a Trash Can

Sad and horrific news.

A trans woman was found dead in a garbage can in Detroit. At this time, she hasn't been identified.

Her body was found by a mother and son, looking for bottles and cans. No words on the injuries or the cause of death.

The director of victim services for Equality Michigan, Yvonne Siferd said this about the incident:

“We are saddened and angry to hear of the murder of another transgender woman of color who has yet to be identified. The undignified way in which her body was dumped speaks to the larger issue of antitransgender hostility in our society, and the vast amount of work we, as supporters of the LGBT communities, have in front of us. We know that transgender women of color are the most disproportionately affected by violence and hate against the LGBT communities, and this latest incident is a tragic reminder of that reality.”

Trans family, please be careful in Detroit and look out for one another. Please.

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Gay Teen Killed at his 18th Birthday Party

No words...

An autistic teenager died from horrific burns after he was set alight at his 18th birthday party by a yob who had scrawled insults on his body about being gay.

Vulnerable Steven Simpson was doused in tanning oil before Jordan Sheard held a lighter to his groin and sparked it, engulfing him in flames which caused 60 per cent burns.

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Sheard, 20, had called Steven a 'gay c**t' earlier at his birthday party and wrote 'I love d**k' on his stomach in marker pen.

A paramedic who came to treat the young victim reported seeing lipstick smudged on his face and the words 'Gay Boy' written on his forehead in pen, although it was not clear who had written it.

When Steven, who suffered from Asperger's Syndrome, went up in flames, Sheard scarpered and then tried to blame his victim telling cops he had set himself on fire.

Judge Rodger Keen QC jailed Sheard for three years and six months telling him: 'At his 18th birthday party you destroyed Steven's life.'

Prosecuting, Sarah Wright, explained how student Steven, who also had epilepsy and a speech impairment, had thrown an 18th birthday party for himself at the flat where he lived alone in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, on June 22 last year.

When no-one turned up, Steven went out and returned with some people.

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In Texas: Teen lesbian couple found shot in a Park

This is horrible

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Horror in Real Life: Roommate eats Roommate

This is scary ass mess right here. In Batimore, a man murdered his roommate and ate parts of him.

Alexander Kinyua, a 21-year-old Morgan State University student, admitted to murdering his roommate Kujoe Bonsafo Agyei-Kodie, who was reported missing last Friday, cops told the Baltimore Sun.

Kinyua's father called police late Tuesday night when Kinyua's brother reportedly found human remains -- a head and two hands -- in a metal tin in the basement. The brother and father left the room for a short time, but when they came back, the body parts had been moved and Kinyua was washing out the tin, the paper reported.

Officers searched the house and arrested Kinyua. The man allegedly confessed a shocking revelation: not only had he killed Agyei-Kodie by cutting him up with a knife and then dismembered him, he ingested parts of the victim's brain and all of his heart. He then allegedly dropped most of the remains in a Dumpster behind a church in Joppatowne.

It's yet unclear what Kinyua's motive may have been, but he was charged with first-degree murder on Wednesday. In another incident on May 20, he was charged with first-degree assault when he allegedly beat a fellow student randomly with a baseball bat and then fled into the woods.

Lord, it's a whacked out world out there.

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Mexican Trans Activist Agnes Torres Sulca was Murdered

Activist and leader, Agnes Torres Sulca, was brutally murdered. According to the news sites, she was burned and tortured.

She was found in a ravine.

Here's more on the story:

“We condemn this crime against a woman, an academic, a psychologist, educator, role model and activist for human rights for women in general and for sexual diversity as a whole,” the Puebla-based organization Vida Plena Puebla. “We are distraught, pained, enraged and saddened by this crime, and feel powerless over how, yet again, a brave person has succumbed to the most brutal of gender-based violence… in this case, violence against a transgender woman.” The organization demanded in their statement that Torres’s murder case be treated the same way as that of “the daughter of any governor, politician, or attorney” and that it be solved swiftly.

The organization had presented before the State Congress on the importance of legislation for sexual diversity and recognition of hate as an exacerbating factor in these cases, particularly of “feminicide” – a word coined in Mexico to refer to specifically to violence targeted at women that ends in murder, which has reached endemic proportions in the country. There have been 6 similar unsolved homicides in the state since the beginning of 2012.

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Agnes. Her work will continue through the people she has touched.


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Arrest made in the Gay Flight Attendant's Murder

There has been an arrest in the murder of the Nick Aaronson. Here's the scoop:

Nick Aaronson, 27, was found bound and face down next to his hotel bed in Mexico City after he picked up the 20-year-old Jose Luis Ramirez at a nearby bar, Mexico City prosecutors said. Ramirez, known as "The Shadow," beat Aaronson, strangling him with a belt before fleeing with his money, they said.

Ramirez, who has been in jail before, admitted to entering Aaronson's room and beating him. Security cameras showed the two entering the hotel, with Aaronson signing Ramirez in as a guest. 

He shaved his head to avoid detection but authorities found him around the same bar in Mexico City's historical center where he and Aaronson first met.

Anita Aaronson, Nick's mother, poured out her emotion on her Facebook page, posting videos of the young redhead singing karaoke. She said on Sunday the Federal Bureau of Investigation called her to say her son's killer was in custody.

This is so sad. I can't imagine how the mother feels. To know how her son was murdered must be truly killing her.

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A Gay Flight Attendant found Dead in a Mexico City Hotel - VIDEO