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NCAVP mourns the death of Elizabeth Stephanie Montez, a transgender Latinx woman, killed in Corpus Christi, Texas, on October 21, 2017. According to media reports, 47-year-old Montez, who is at least the 25th transgender and gender-nonconforming person killed in 2017, had been fatally shot multiple times, and police are investigating her death as a homicide, though the investigation is still in its early stages. Media reports initially misgendered and dead-named Montez.
We mourn the loss of Elizabeth Stephanie Montez, who was a beloved performer, dancer, and friend. She is remembered in a loving obituary as “One of the most beautiful, kind, gentle, and loving human beings we have ever known. She was never afraid or ashamed to be true to herself or anyone else. She was the sweetest most kind, most courageous, most selfless person that would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need and most often did.” We must work to ensure that our LGBT elders, especially transgender and gender non-conforming elders, are uplifted and supported at all points in their lives.
Local organization, PFLAG Corpus Christi, is organizing a transgender rights rally on Saturday, November 4. Said PFLAG Corpus Christi President Kathy Huff: “We are calling for not only an end to the violence against trans women, but also for gender identity to be added to the hate crime laws in Texas, as well as within anti-discrimination laws along with sexual orientation.” The rally calls for justice for the transgender community, for action on a local level, and for equality.
In memory of Elizabeth Stephanie Montez.
For more information about the upcoming rally and PFLAG Corpus Christi, visit https://www.facebook.com/pflagcct.
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.