Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Her name was Dominique Jackson. She was 30 years old when she was murdered by gunshot in Jackson, Mississippi. According to WJAF (note: misgendering and deadnaming at link.)

[She]was shot and killed Monday, January 25, 2021. The shooting happened just after 9:30 p.m. on Rose Street at Grand Avenue.

According to investigators, a vehicle struck a utility pole at the scene. A woman, who has been identified as 30-year-old Dominique Jackson, was found inside suffering from a gunshot wound. She died at the scene.

Police said a 15-year-old boy was shot and killed at around 9 p.m. and in a second incident, a 21-year-old man was shot to death after an argument.

Dominique’s family, per her aunt’s posting on Facebook, had reported her missing on January 27, stating that she had not been seen for three days, presumably since January 24. They were looking for her, she didn’t just disappear without notice. But here’s an example of how police and media deadnaming and misgendering delays justice – she had been dead for two days while her family was searching for her. How does that happen? Their grief compounded by officials not dedicated to accuracy. 

Dominique was 30 years old. She was born in Detroit, Michigan. She attended South Jones High School and studied at Meridian Community College. According to her Facebook timeline, Dominique was the Mother of the Hause of Redd, and the Founder of The Ladi Redd Inc.

This wasn’t her first brush with violence. In 2014, she and two other pedestrians were intentionally hit by a car because the driver was angry with the younger folks.

It breaks my heart she died surrounded by strangers who didn’t say her name. Was she afraid? Did she know this not supposed to be the end of her story even as her life flow ebbed away onto the streets of Jackson? There is no word yet on final arrangements and police report zero leads in determining who shot her, who drove the car, or any other details. 

Dominique is the third reported trans or gender nonconforming person murdered in 2021. She is the second Black trans woman and the second Black trans person and the second trans woman. She is the oldest victim so far.  Her death was reported during the national LGBTQ conference, Creating Change where another Black trans woman named Dominique Jackson, star of Pose, was a keynote speaker and honoree. 

Rest in power, Dominique. You deserved so many more years and you certainly deserve respect and dignity in your death. You had a huge impact during your time on this earth and your loved ones will always honor you.

May your memory be a revolution.

This is our list of transgender, gender-nonconforming, and non-binary neighbors lost to violence in 2021. Please do not copy or share this list without attribution.

• Tyianna Davarea Alexandra – Chicago, Illinois. January 6, 2021. Age 28.
• Samuel Edmund Damián Valentín – Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. January 9, 2021. Age 21.
• Dominique Jackson – Jackson, Mississippi. January 25, 2021. Age 30. 

We are also still monitoring these supicious deaths from 2020 (in addition to the 44 documented killings.)

• Fendi Mon’ezah Armstrong – Lithonia, Georgia, November 11, 2020. Age 39
• Kimberely Patricia Cope – Athens, Georgia, December 27, 2020. Age 40.
• Natasha Keianna – Detroit, Michigan, January 12, 2021. Age 37.