THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

"I am devastated to hear about the loss of Angel and see the violence against the trans community continue," said Deputy Executive Director of NBJC, Victoria Kirby York. "This year has been the deadliest year on record for the trans community. Despite the rising violence in the two years since the American Medical Association declared it an epidemic and the tireless work of activists and community members to draw attention to the issue, little action has been taken. There are constant calls for elected officials to introduce and pass legislation that would protect the trans community, for media to treat the victims with respect by not misgendering and deadnaming them, for law enforcement to investigate and solve these murders. Instead of defending the trans community, we have seen an uptick in attacks through an increase in anti-trans legislation."

"It is time to stand with the trans community, to work with them, to ensure they can live safely and freely, as their authentic selves."

Angel Naira is the 47th trans, nonbinary or gender-nonconforming person to be killed in 2021. She is the fourth trans person killed in the state of Pennsylvania this year.

Angel Naira's family has started a GoFundMe to raise money for memorial arrangements, which you can donate to here: www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-b-funeral-arrangements . Pennsylvania State Police are currently investigating Naira's death.

Learn more about reducing gender-based violence at nbjc.org/ and here: www.out.com/print/2019/11/20/how-we-can-end-violence-against-trans-women-color .

Look here prosperitynow.org/putting-prosperity-within-reach-how-do-i-advocate-for-policy-change to learn more about changing local laws and increasing protections for trans and non-binary community members.

The NBJC Stolen Lives list of trans and non-binary individuals lost to violence and hate can be found here nbjc.org/stolen-lives/ .

The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) is America's leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+, and same gender loving (LGBTQ+/SGL) people, including people living with HIV.