NCAVP mourns the homicide of Kerrice Lewis in Washington, D.C

This post remains published for posterity.

The In Memoriam Page is the complete listing.

NCAVP mourns the death of Kerrice Lewis, who was murdered in Washington, D.C. on December 28, 2017. According to media reports, 23-year-old Kerrice Lewis, who identified as a butch lesbian woman, was shot before being locked in the trunk of a car, which was then set on fire. Though police and medics were called, Lewis died at the scene.

We mourn the loss of Kerrice Lewis, and send love and care to her family and loved ones. She was remembered by her grandfather as a “free spirit” who was “full of life” and that she would “light up a room, just talking and laughing.” Her best friend also spoke at length about Kerrice’s loving and caring nature.

All too often, the deaths of lesbian women, especially lesbian women of color and butch lesbians, are not spoken about or ignored. We seek to honor Kerrice’s identity as a Black, butch lesbian woman, and uplift her memory.

In memory of Kerrice Lewis.

We know it can be hard to read these reports of violence against our communities. If you need support in these difficult times, you can always reach out to your local NCAVP member. Read the full list here.

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.