Category: Trans

AMPLIFYBisexualQueerTrans

Lavi, 29, is Trans Queer Bi and Wants Your Respect & Support #AMPLIFY

October 20, 2016 by

Name: Lavi

Age: 29

County of Residence: I grew up in Greene county. I moved to Allegheny County when i was 18. Ive lived in Pittsburgh the past 11 years

Preferred Pronouns: She, her

How do you describe your identity? trans queer bi white

Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I started coming out when I was about 15 I think. At that time I found support online. There was an online community of mostly other teenage trans kids we helped each other out with what we could.

I didn’t have support from my family and local community. I felt isolated and alone. I was. I tried to run away but it didn’t work.

I came out more finally when I turned 18 and moved to Pittsburgh. It was finally a time when I could start to be myself and figure out who I am.

I still had trouble finding support. I went to transpitt but felt a big generational gap. I learned a lot tho from Nancy. I always remember her.

AMPLIFYBisexualTrans

Ciora, 27, Says Trans People Have the Strength of Two Souls #AMPLIFY

October 18, 2016 by
Pittsburgh Trans Woman

Name: Ciora Thomas

Age: 27

County of Residence: Allegheny

Preferred Pronouns:  she/her/hers

How do you describe your identity? I’m a Bi Transwomn.

Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? My coming out experience wasn’t really a coming out more so i got caught by my step father and my family then turned on me. I found support in downtown Pittsburgh and the GLCC when it was in Squirrel Hill ran by Lyndsey Sickler. I faced many challenges the main being a homeless trans teenager.

In MemoriamTrans

Black Trans Woman Brandi Bledsoe, 32, Murdered in Cleveland

October 13, 2016 by
Brandi Bledsoe

It is with great sadness and anger that I read about the murder of 32 year old black trans woman, Brandi Bledsoe. Her body was discovered over the weekend near her Cleveland home.

Brandi had a job, a passion for art and the support of at least some of her family. Yet, she did not escape the cycle of unrelenting violence against trans women. She also did not escape being misgendered by police or the media, the final indignity that weaves it’s tentacle into almost all of these stories of the lives of our trans neighbors.

From Cleveland.com (note – they use her old name)

Bledsoe was found dead about 10 a.m. in the driveway behind a home on Drexel Avenue, near East 108th Street. 

She was wearing only underwear and had white plastic bags covering her head and both hands, according to police reports.

A 5-year-old boy discovered her body while riding bikes with his 12-year-old brother.  

Police also said she had head trauma. Cleveland police spokesman Jennifer Ciaccia said investigators will take her transgender status into consideration in the investigation. She said the investigation is in its early stages and it’s too early to determine of motive for Bledsoe’s death. 

No arrests have been made in the case.

In MemoriamTrans

RIP Jazz Alford, Black Trans Woman Murdered in Alabama

October 8, 2016 by

Jazz Alford was 30 years old and a native of North Carolina. She was also a black trans woman discovered dead in a Birmingham, Alabama motel in late September. Alford was deliberately misgendered by police (and the media) as part of their investigation process.

Alford’s sister, Toya Milan, who is also a trans woman reached out to media to clarify Jazz’ true identity.

Police have arrested a 23-year-old man, Denzell Thomas for another shooting of a trans woman and he is now a suspect in the Alford case. The other victim survived and is hospitalized as she recovers from her injuries.

In MemoriamTrans

TWOC Crystal Edmonds Murdered in Baltimore

September 17, 2016 by
Crystal Edmonds Trans

Crystal Edmonds, 32, a trans woman of color who lived in Baltimore died Friday from gunshot wounds to the back of her head. Crystal is the 21st known transgender person to be murdered in 2016 in the United States. She is also the third person whose death I’ve blogged about this week and the second […]

In MemoriamTrans

Maine Trans Woman Found Dead in Reservoir

September 13, 2016 by
Lexxi Sironen

On the heels of learning about the brutal murder of T.T. in Chicago this past weekend, I was saddened to read more tragic news on the Transgriot blog. 43 year old Lexxi Sironen’s body was found floating in the Kennebec River on September 6 at 8:15 AM EDT near the water reservoir of the Brookfield […]

In MemoriamTrans

Trans Woman Murdered in Chicago on September 11 UPDATED

September 13, 2016 by
Trans Woman Murdered Chicago

Updated with T.T.’s full name. T.T. Saffore was 27 years old, according to her friends quoted in a Windy City Times story covering this crime. She was a hair stylist, enjoyed being around children and a support for other trans women in her neighborhood. She had family support. She is also the 20th known trans […]

AMPLIFYTrans

Samantha, 44, Wants Better Trans Health Choices in Pennsylvania #AMPLIFY

August 18, 2016 by

Name: Samantha Age: 44 County of Residence: Allegheny Preferred Pronouns: Her, she, b*tch, LOL How do you describe your identity? I am a Trans woman questioning my sexual preference. Please describe your coming out experience. Where did you find support? What challenges did you face? I truly was lucky. I found support everywhere. The biggest challenge was telling my Mom. We […]

In MemoriamTrans

Trans Woman Rae’Lynn Thomas, 28, of Columbus, Ohio Murdered By Mother’s Ex-Boyfriend

August 12, 2016 by
Rae'Lynn Thomas

Rae’Lynn was 28 years old. She was a performer and loved fashion. She transition at age 18, according to her family. And she was brutally murdered in cold blood by her mother’s ex-boyfriend who lived in the family home. From mic.com: Renee Thomas said her daughter transitioned 10 years ago. Rae’Lynn’s aunt, Shannon Thomas, said […]

In MemoriamTrans

Erykah Tijerina, 36, of El Paso Latest Trans Woman Murdered in the US

August 10, 2016 by

Erykah Tijerina was 36 years old. Her sisters describe her as “funny, giving and unapologetic.” Sadly, she is also the latest transgender neighbor to die a violent death in the United States. Her Facebook posts are filled with love and family and hopefulness. Erykah’s body was found Monday in her El Paso apartment complex. She […]