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The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) mourns the death of Jaquarrius Holland, a Black transgender woman, killed in Monroe, Louisiana on February 19th, 2017. Her homicide is only coming to light now, due to local press misgendering the victim. According to media reports, Jaquarrius was shot during a verbal altercation with someone who then fled the scene. Jaquarrius was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. News of Jaquarrius’ death comes after two homicides of two transgender women, Chyna Gibson and Ciara McElveen, were reported this week in New Orleans, Louisiana. Friends shared memories and stories about Jaquarrius online, many using the hashtag #PrettyBrown, which she used to refer to herself.
“We send our love and thoughts to everyone affected by the death of Jaquarrius Holland,” said Beverly Tillery, Executive Director at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. “As of today, NCAVP has already responded to seven homicides of transgender women of color within the first two months of the year. As a society we can stop this epidemic by hiring trans women of color, making sure they have safe places to live and standing up when we see or hear them being demeaned and attacked and simply by valuing their lives. The moment to act is now.”
NCAVP’s most recent hate violence report, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIVAffected Hate Violence in 2015, recorded 24 reported hate violence homicides of LGBTQ people, a 20% increase from the 20 reported anti-LGBTQ homicides in 2014. Of the 24 reported homicides, 62% of the victims were people of color. Sixteen (67%) of the 24 reported homicide victims were transgender and gender non-conforming. Of the total number of homicides, thirteen (54%) of the victims were transgender women of color.
In 2016, NCAVP responded to the homicides of 23 transgender and gender nonconforming people, the highest ever recorded by the Coalition.
NCAVP is a resource for anyone who experiences violence. For more information, or to locate an antiviolence program in your area, please contact us at info@ncavp.org or visit us online. Join NCAVP in our efforts to prevent and respond to LGBTQ and HIV-affected violence. To learn more about our national advocacy and receive technical assistance or support, contact us at info@ncavp.org.
If you are a member of the media, please contact:
Sue Yacka, New York City Anti-Violence Project: syacka@avp.org or 212-714-1184