Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

The Crime

For the second time this month, the District of Columbia has lost a 30 year old Black trans woman to violence. On Saturday, October 14, Anee Roberson, also known as A’nee Johnson, was assaulted and left in the street where a vehicle struck her. She later died at a local hospital.

Investigators say she was assaulted and then hit by a car in front of the 900 block of U Street. She was then taken to an area hospital where she later died. Police have determined that the assault is how she ended in the road. The vehicle that struck her remained at the scene. The driver was not involved in the assault and remained at the scene.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death to be multiple blunt force injuries and the manner of death a homicide. A $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 202-727-9099 or text the department’s text tip line by sending a text message to 50411.

What are the odds that two Black trans women of the same age would be killed in unrelated incidents in the same city within a two week period? This struck me as I realized that six of the victims since September are age 30.

Honoring A’nee

A’nee grew up in the District of Columbia. She worked as a character escort with Six Flags America and more recently was self-employed. Her likes included media, Disney, Black history, music,and cosmetics. She was connected to Casa Ruby LGBTQ Community Center in DC and Power Safe Resource Center in Virginia. Her social media is fill with whimsy, humor, and charm.

A friend describes her:

You lived, you laughed and you learned. You were a given light into so many peoples lives a whole new experience and perspective and it’s unfortunate the events that occurred. But every moment leading up was a pure blessing, just knowing and becoming familiar with your essence. We love you ,we miss you, and we will never forget you.

There is no word yet on final arrangements for A’nee.

Now, we recognize A’nee as the 31st trans or gender nonconforming person whose violent death has been reported in 2023. She is the 23rd trans person of color and the 16th Black trans person.  A’nee is the 14th Black trans woman. A trans person has been killed in the US every 9.2 days in 2023. “Reported” is an important distinction to make as we know there are more folx whose deaths remain unacknowledged. Indeed we have included two unidentified people whose remains were discovered this year.

Rest in power, A’nee. Your light shined brightly during your time in this life, leaving a legacy on the hearts of your loved ones. You deserved so many more years to embrace life. I am so sorry we did not create a better world for you.

May your memory be a revolution.

This is our list

This is our list of transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming neighbors who have been victims of the campaign of terror in 2023. Please do not copy, modify, or share this list without attribution.

1. Jasmine ‘Star’ Mack – District of Columbia, January 7, 2023. Age 36.
2. KC Johnson – Wilmington, North Carolina, January 13, 2023. Age 27.
3. Tortuguita – Weelaunee Forest, Georgia, January 18, 2023. Age 26.
4. Unique Banks – Chicago, Illinois, January 23, 2023. Age 21.
5. Zachee Imanitwitaho – Louisville, Kentucky, February 3, 2023. Age 26.
6. Maria Jose Rivera Rivera – Houston, Texas, January 21, 2023. Age 22.
7. Cashay Henderson – Milwaukee, Wisconsin, February 27, 2023. Age 31.
8. Tasiyah ‘Siyah’ Woodland – Mechanicsville, Maryland, March 24, 2023. Age 18.
9. Ashley Burton – Atlanta, Georgia, April 11, 2023. Age 37.
10. Rasheeda Williams – Atlanta, Georgia, April 18, 2023. Age 35.
11. Banko Brown – San Francisco, California, April 27, 2023. Age 24.
12. Ashia Davis – Detroit, Michigan, June 2, 2023. Age 34
13. Chanell Perez Ortiz – Carolina, Puerto Rico, June 25, 2023. Age 29.
14. Jacob Williamson – Pageland, South Carolina, July 4, 2023, Age 18.
15. Camdyn Rider – Winter Haven, Florida, July 21, 2023. Age 21.
16. Kylie Monali – Riverside, California, September 7, 2022, Reported September 2023.
17. DéVonnie J’Rae Johnson – Los Angeles, California, August 7, 2023. Age 27.
18. Thomas ‘Tom-Tom’ Robinson – Calumet, Indiana, August 17, 2023. Age 28.
19. Charm Wilson – Cleveland, Ohio, September 8, 2023. Age 32.
20. Bre’Asia Bankz – Arizona, September 5, 2023. Age 27.
21. Alexa Sokova – Palm Bay, Florida, September 5, 2023. Age 30.
22. YOKO – New Orleans Louisiana, September 19, 2023. Age 30.
23. Codii Lawrence – Weirton, West Virginia, September 5, 2023. Age 25.
24. Unidentified Person – Dallas, Texas,. July 2023. Age unknown
25. Unidentified Person – Eugene, Oregon, August 10, 2023. Age unknown.
26. Luis Ángel Díaz Castro – San Juan, Puerto Rico, August 12, 2023. Age 22.
27. Thaddeus ‘Tad’ Keegan Bradley – Mendocino, California, Sept 21st, 2021. Reported April 27, 2023.
28. Sherlyn Marjorie – Albuquerque, Nex Mexico, September 17, 2023. Age 35.
29. Chyna Long – Milwaukee, Wisconsin, October 8, 2023. Age 20.
30. Skylar Harrison – Washington, DC, October 2, 2023. Age 30.
31. A’Nee Johnson – Washington, DC, October 14, 2023. Age 30.