NCAVP mourns the homicide of Josie Josie Berrios, a transgender woman of color killed in Ithaca, New York; the13th reported killing of a transgender person of color NCAVP has responded to in 2017
The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) mourns the homicide of Josie Berrios, a transgender woman of color, killed in Ithaca, New York on Tuesday, June 13th, 2017. According to media reports, Josie was found dead at a building site that was under construction. Michael Davis, 45, was arrested and charged in connection with Josie's death and is alleged to have had a personal relationship with her. Josie, who also went by the name Kendra Marie Adams, was remembered in an outpouring of love and grief by friends on social media.
NCAVP's most recent hate violence report, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Hate Violence in 2016, recorded 77 total hate violence related homicides of LGBTQ and HIV-affected people in 2016, including the 49 mostly LGBTQ and Latinx lives lost in the shooting at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida in June of 2016. Outside of those lives lost during the shooting at Pulse Nightclub, there were 28 homicides of LGBTQ people, an increase of 17% from 24 in 2015. Of the 28 reported non-Pulse hate violence homicides 79% were people of color, 19 were transgender and gender non-conforming people, and 17 were transgender women of color.
NCAVP has been in contact with local organizations in Ithaca to offer support and care during this difficult time.
"We continue to send care and support to everyone who knew Josie and has been impacted by this tragic loss," said LaLa Zannell, Lead Organizer at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "Every life lost to violence feels devastating. The most that we can hope for that is that when people hear this story, and the stories of so many lives of transgender women of color that have been taken before, that they will take action to make their communities safer and affirming for transgender women. We all have the opportunity to challenge the ways that transphobia and racism show up in our communities."
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.
