NCAVP mourns the homicide of Jazz Alford, a transgender woman of color killed in Birmingham, Alabama; the 21st reported killing of a transgender/gender non-conforming person NCAVP has responded to in 2016
The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) has learned of the homicide of Jazz Alford, age 30, a Black transgender woman, killed in Birmingham, Alabama on September 23rd, 2016. According to media reports, Jazz Alton was found shot to death at the Kings Inn. Jazz Alton's sister, Toya Milan, corrected her misgendering in the local press and spoke out saying "She was such a loving person, and we didn't know anybody that would want to hurt her. It's been a hard pill to swallow."
"This is the 21st homicide of a transgender or gender non-conforming person that NCAVP has responded to in 2016, one less than the number that the Coalition responded to in 2015. We must remember that these are actual lives of friends and family and loved ones who are lost," said Emily Waters, Senior Manager of National Research and Policy at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "Reach out to loved ones and people in your community impacted by this violence and offer your support and care. It's on all of us to end this violence and find ways to support the transgender and gender non-conforming people in our lives and our communities."
NCAVP's most recent hate violence report, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Hate Violence in 2015, recorded 24 reported hate violence homicides of LGBTQ people, a 20% increase from the 20 reported anti-LGBTQ homicides in 2014. Of the 24 reported homicides, 62% of the victims were people of color. Sixteen ( 67% ) of the 24 reported homicide victims were transgender and gender non-conforming. Of the total number of homicides, thirteen ( 54% ) of the victims were transgender women of color.
In 2015, NCAVP responded to the homicides of 22 transgender and gender nonconforming people in total, 16 of which were hate violence related, and the additional six of which were intimate partner violence related. This is the 21st* reported killing of a transgender or gender non-conforming person that NCAVP has responded to in 2016.
Along with Jazz Alford we have lost Crystal Edmonds, a Black transgender women ( Baltimore, MD ), T.T. Saffore, a Black transgender woman ( Chicago, IL ), Rae'Lynn Thomas, a Black transgender woman ( Columbus, OH ), Erykah Tijerina, a Latinx transgender woman ( El Paso, TX ), Skye Mockabee, a Black transgender woman ( Cleveland, OH ), Dee Whigham, a Black transgender woman ( St. Martin. Mississippi ), Deeniquia Dodds, a Black transgender woman ( Washington, DC ), Goddess Diamond, a black transgender woman ( New Orleans, LA ), Amos Beede, a white transgender man ( Burlington, VT ),Mercedes Successful, a Black transgender woman ( Haines City, FLA ), Reese Walker, a Black Transgender Women ( Wichita, KS ), Keyonna Blakeney, a Black transgender woman ( Rockville, MD ),Shante Thompson, a Black transgender woman ( Houston, TX ), Jasmine Sierra, a Latin@ transgender woman ( Bakersfield, CA ), Monica Loera, a Latina transgender woman ( Austin, TX ), Kayden Clarke, a white transgender man ( Mesa, AZ ), Maya Young, a Black transgender woman ( Philadelphia, PA ),Demarkis Stamsberry, a Black transgender man ( Baton Rouge, LA ), and Kedarie/Kandicee Johnson, a Black, gender-fluid 16-year-old ( Burlington, IA ) and Quartney Davia Dawsonn-Yochum, a Black transgender woman ( Los Angeles, CA ).
*NCAVP is looking into the death of Lexxi Sironen, a white transgender woman in Waterville, Maine. As of now there is no known cause of death, however, we are continuing to monitor. NCAVP also looked into the death of Veronica Cano, a Black transgender woman, in San Antonio Texas, and at this time do not believe that her death was a homicide. We continue to send support to the loved ones of Veronica Cano.
NCAVP is a resource for anyone who experiences violence. For more information, or to locate an anti-violence program in your area, please contact us at info@ncavp.org or visit us online. Join NCAVP in our efforts to prevent and respond to LGBTQ and HIV-affected violence. To learn more about our national advocacy and receive technical assistance or support, contact us at info@ncavp.org .
NCAVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer ( LGBTQ ) and HIV-affected communities. NCAVP is a national coalition of local member programs and affiliate organizations who create systemic and social change. NCAVP is a program of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.
