Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Cypress Ramos, a 21-year-old Latina trans woman, was found dead on February 13, 2022 in her hometown of Lubbock, Texas. Cypress died from blunt force trauma. Her suspect was quickly identified as 32 year-old Allan Montemayor and has been arrested and faces a murder charge. Her body was found inside a storage locker in a burning building.

Cypress attended Coronado High School, but did not graduate. According to her social media profiles, she was a fan of Megan Thee Stallion, creative makeup, and spending time with her friends – she was a “social butterfly” according to multiple people.

Her family held a vigil for her on February 20 a few days after her burial.

Cypress is the fourth transgender person reported as a victim of fatal violence in 2022. She is the fourth trans woman of color and the first Latina. All four victims are 25 and under. Their deaths come on the heels of the most violent year in recorded history with the deaths of 55 trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people in the United States alone. Note that the tabulation includes a significant number of reports of folx murdered in 2021. This might be confusing. Of course it is confusing.

I think it is important to note that many law departments are too quick to dismiss interpersonal violence as “not a hate crime” as if the disproportionate focus on men killing women is not grounded in misogynistic hate. I understand there is a legal distinction, but let’s not kid ourselves about the misogyny at the core of so much transphobic violence (not all.) Dismissing the complicated nuances is a disservice to all trans folks. And all women.

Rest in power, Cypress. You deserved a full life filled with wondrous experiences and so much joy. You died too young and I’m so sorry we didn’t protect you. I hope your reunion with your loved ones is a comfort and that your survivors find solace. And that there is justice for you!

May your memory be a revolution.

This is our list of transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming neighbors who have been victims of the campaign of terror in 2022. Please do not copy or share this list without attribution. The list for 2021 is available. As of today, we have documented a total of 55 deaths in 2021. Those reported in 2022 will be listed here.

1. Amäriey Lèį (Myara) – Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. January 1, 2022. Age 20. 
2. Duval Princess – Jacksonville, Florida. January 2, 2022. Age 24.
3. Za’Niyah Williams – Houston, Texas. December 20, 2021, reported on Jan 5, 2022. Age 21.
4. Nikki Turrietta – Albuquerque, New Mexico, December 31, 2021, reported on January 27, 2022. Age 31.
5. Keeva Scatter – Baton Rouge, Louisiana, October 15, 2021, confirmed on February 13, 2022. Age 34.
6. Rubi Dominguez – Brownsville, Texas, July 15, 2021, confirmed on February 13, 2022. Age 29.
7. Naomie Skinner – Detroit, Michigan, February 12, 2022. Age 25
8. Martina Caldera – Houston, Texas, December 6, 2021. Age 38.
9. Cypress Ramos – Lubbock, Texas, February 13, 2022. Age 21.