NCAVP mourns the death of Ally Lee Steinfeld, in Texas County, MO

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The In Memoriam Page is the complete listing.

NCAVP mourns the death of Ally Lee Steinfeld, a transgender teenage girl killed in Texas County, Missouri, on September 5 2017. According to media reports, Ally, who was 17 years old, was brutally assaulted and killed by four suspects, aged 18, 18, 24, and 25, who are all now in custody. Though details of the incident are still emerging, reports indicate that Ally had been in a relationship with one of the suspects, 24-year-old Briana Calderas.

We mourn the loss of Ally Lee Steinfeld, who had just come out as transgender earlier this year and was beginning to live her truth and fully express herself. That she died in such a brutal way is utterly tragic. We must work to create and protect safe, supportive, and affirming environments for transgender and gender non-conforming youth at all points in their lives and gender expression, and through mentorship and leadership, offer trans youth the support and love they need to live their truths. At the same time, we must also remember to support the cis partners of TGNC folks and work to prevent this kind of dating violence, especially among youth. Loving someone shouldn’t ever be stigmatized. We all deserve and are capable of healthy, supportive relationships, no matter who we are.

“We are here to support Ally’s family and will continue to lift Ally’s name in love and light,” said Melissa Brown, of the Kansas City Anti-Violence Project.

In memory of Ally Lee Steinfeld.

 

If you are in the Missouri area, NCAVP member organization the Kansas City Anti-Violence Project is available as a resource to you. Call (816) 561-0550 or visit kcavp.org for more information.

NCAVP works to prevent, respond to, and end all forms of violence against and within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and HIV-affected communities. NCAVP is a national coalition of local member programs and affiliate organizations who create systemic and social change. NCAVP is a program of the New York City Anti-Violence Project.