Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Content Note: homicide, misogyny, graphic violence

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Horrifying news from Utica, New York – a 17 year-old biromantic asexual teen was murdered by decapitation on July 14, 2019. From Rolling Stone, more information on the murder of Bianca Devins.

A 17-year-old Instagram celebrity was brutally murdered allegedly by an obsessed male friend who then posted images of the slaying on Instagram, gaming website Discord, and 4chan, prompting an outpouring of shock and horror on social media.

The victim, Bianca Devins, is a 17-year-old so-called “egirl” who lived in Utica, NY, and had a small following on Instagram under the name @escty. Devins also frequently posted on the discussion forum 4chan. Utica Police confirmed Devins’ death.

The social media channels refusing to cooperate with removing video and photographic images of a violent horrific murder of a young woman is exacerbated by the disgusting response of incels and the rightwing people who think this is somehow something to be circulated. Bianca was a popular Instagram and 4chan user.

The man who murdered her is named Brandon Andrew Clark. Some reports claim he was in a romantic relationship with Bianca, others say they were friends, and others still claim he was stalking her, even obsessed with her. He reportedly accompanied her to a concert the evening he killed her. He tried to kill himself before police arrived, but was reportedly still alive in critical condition.

The Gay Star News describes Bianca as biromantic and asexual. She herself posted a selfie describing herself as asexual a few days ago. I’m using the umbrella term queer and including these other details. A Facebook user had this to say

Asexual Visibility means acknowledging that yes, Ace people are apart of our community, they are the A in LGBTQIA+, and Ace people are just as vulnerable to violence due to their divergence from the CisHeteroNormative. 

My mind is reeling from this horrible crime. I wasn’t even trying and managed to stumble across the crime scenes photos still posted on social media sites. I am sure that I will never forget that terrible image. So please be very careful if you search for more information about Bianca – have a safety plan in case you see something horrifying.

I don’t begin to understand why this sick fetishization of misogyenistic crime is still rampant … of course, that’s not true. I understand why a country presided over by a serial rapist would pass around images of a decapitated 17-year-old young woman, especially one who was part of sexual minorities.  She’s a minor, a kid. She wasn’t an object either while she was alive nor in her death. What the hell is wrong with people who refuse to acknowledge her humanity much less her dignity and worth?

4chan and incel forum users are applauding the killing of Bianca Devins.

I’ll be updating this as more information becomes available.https://t.co/s5mNBr4Oe4

— Jared Holt (@jaredlholt) July 15, 2019

Rest in power, Bianca. You deserved a long, bright life filled with joy and opportunity. You deserved to be safe in public, at home, and with your acquaintances. You deserve to be remembered for your own content, your chosen images.