Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Content Note: transphobia, dismemberment

On June 8, 2020, Philadelphia police discovered the dismembered body of a Black transwoman along the banks of the Schuylkill River near the Bartram’s Garden Docks & Community Boathouse. Initial reporting misgendered Dominique.

From ABC6: please note misgendering at this link

Police said the person was found face down and had both legs severed. They are looking into the possibility their legs were severed along train tracks.

“What’s unusual is that both of the victim’s legs were cut off at the upper thighs. The body also seems to have some trauma to the head and face,” said Chief Inspector Scott Small with the Philadelphia Police Department.

It took several days for police to identify her as Dominique Rem’mie Fells thanks to sources from the Morris Home, a transgender and GNC facility.  Dominique was 27 years old.

“I don’t think there is any such thing as a safe city for Black trans women,” Philadelphia activist Deja Lynn Alverez told Insider. “When it comes to serving and protecting trans people, the conventional way of doing things and thinking about these things will not work. It’s time to invest in actual trans leadership.”

While the Philadelphia police have yet to issue a formal statement, the City’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs has done so. There are no details yet on final arrangements.

In April, Philadelphia trans woman Johanna Metzger was murdered while in Baltimore. There has been no arrest in her death.

My list of transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary neighbors who have lost their lives to violent deaths in the US during 2020.

1. Dustin Parker – McAlester, Oklahoma. January 1, 2020. Age 25.
2. Alexa Negron Luciano – Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. February 24, 2020. Age 29.
3. Yampi Mendez Arocho – Moca, Puerto Rico, March 5, 2020. Age 19.
4. Monica Diamond – Charlotte, North Carolina. March 18, 2020. Age 34.
5. Lexi – Harlem, New York City, New York. March 28, 2020. Age 33.
6. Johanna Metzger – Baltimore, Maryland. April 1, 2020. Age 25.
7. Serena Angelique Velazquezz – Puerto Rico. April 22, 2020. Age 32.
8. Layla Pelaez – Puerto Rico. April 22, 2020. Age 21.
9. Penélope Díaz Ramírez – Puerto Rico. April 13, 2020. Age 31
10. Nina Pop – Sikeston, Missouri. May 3, 2020. Age 28.
11. Helle Jae O’Regan – San Antonio, Texas. May 6, 2020. Age 20.
12. Tony McDade – Tallahassee, Florida. May 27, 2020. Age 38.
13. Dominique Rem’mie Fells – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. June 8, 2020. Age 27.