On September 12, a tragic event unfolded in Charlotte, North Carolina, when a young transgender woman named Mia Johnson lost her life to senseless violence. At just 26 years old, Mia became the 20th transgender individual murdered in 2017, highlighting a disturbing trend that shows no signs of abating. Seriously, America? Is this the society we’ve built? Hate has no place here, and it’s high time we adopted a zero-tolerance approach toward it. Zero.
According to reports, Mia was killed by 18-year-old local resident Jake Thompson, who was apprehended shortly after the crime. This heinous act occurred just days before Charlotte was to host the North Carolina Trans Pride 2017, an event celebrating the vibrant trans community in the state.
The details surrounding Mia’s murder are chilling. Unfortunately, what you may not realize is that such violence has become alarmingly frequent in recent years. GLAAD has indicated that 2015 and 2016 marked the deadliest years for transgender individuals, and 2017 appears to be continuing that grim trend. Take a moment to digest this: these individuals simply wish to exist authentically, love freely, and live without the shadow of fear hanging over them.
As highlighted by GLAAD, the fears of the transgender community are all too real: “While some of these homicides have not yet been classified as hate crimes due to insufficient information about the perpetrators or their motivations, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs reveals a shocking multi-year trend indicating that transgender women face a higher risk of death from hate violence than any other demographic.” Yes, you read that right—a higher risk than any other group. So, do your part. Don’t tolerate transphobia in your social circles or media outlets.
Even more alarming is the fact that a significant number of these victims have been women of color. GLAAD notes that “Victims of anti-transgender violence are predominantly transgender women of color, who navigate the treacherous intersections of racism, sexism, and transphobia, often leading to elevated levels of poverty, unemployment, and homelessness.” This is completely unacceptable. Violence against anyone—regardless of gender, race, or any other factor—must come to a halt, immediately.
Beyond the threat of violence, transgender individuals, particularly those of color, face a myriad of daily challenges. A 2015 survey by the National Center for Transgender Equality, which analyzed responses from 28,000 transgender individuals across the nation, revealed shocking inequalities. The survey found that transgender individuals are twice as likely to live in poverty compared to the general population, and transgender people of color face three times that risk.
The majority of respondents reported harassment in educational settings, with 17% having dropped out due to the hostile environment. A third experienced housing discrimination, and one in three faced homelessness at some point in their lives. This is simply unacceptable.
But here’s the heart-wrenching statistic that demands our urgent attention: 40% of transgender individuals have attempted suicide, nearly nine times the national average. In the past year alone, 7% made suicide attempts, which is twelve times the average rate. This represents another form of murder, as the lack of love, support, and understanding for transgender people contributes to these dire statistics.
We must act now. It’s time to stand up and advocate for our transgender siblings. If you’re feeling uneasy about this topic, take the initiative to educate yourself on gender and sexuality. Open your mind—because the truth is, someone else’s journey to living authentically doesn’t impact your life in any negative way.
These are fellow human beings—just as deserving of respect, love, and dignity as anyone else. They are part of our communities, our families, and they’re here to stay. We cannot allow hate to claim more lives. #TransLivesMatter, and it’s up to all of us to ensure that this violence ends, once and for all.
If you want to learn more about how to support the transgender community, you can check out our blog for additional resources.
In conclusion, the fight against transphobia is a fight for humanity and dignity. Everyone deserves to walk this earth without fear—let’s make that a reality.