Lives Lost to Fatal Anti-LGBTQ and Intimate Partner Violence in 2020
Though we strive to share stories of joy and resiliency, we must also mourn those we have lost to violence, and hold their lives in our memory as we continue to fight violence in our lives and in our communities. We mourn the lives that our communities have lost in 2020 and before, and send love and light to their friends and family.
Below are the names of the lives we have lost to fatal, anti-LGBTQ violence this year so far. Those whose names are marked with an asterisk were lost as a result of intimate partner violence.
Samuel Edmund Damián Valentín – Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico – January 9, 2021
Tyianna Alexander – Chicago, IL – January 6, 2021
Courtney “Eshay” Key – Chicago, IL – December 25, 2020
Jaheim Pugh/Jaheim Barbie/Bella Pugh – Prichard, AL – December 13, 2020
Chae’Meshia Simms – Richmond, VA – November 23, 2020
Asia Jynaé Foster – Houston, TX – Nov 20, 2020
Yunieski “Yuni” Carey Herrera – Miami, FL – Nov 17, 2020
Skylar Heath – Miami, FL – November, 4, 2020
Angel Haynes, Black transgender woman – Memphis, TN – Oct 25, 2020
Sara Blackwood, transgender woman – Indianapolis, IN – Oct 11, 2020
Brooklyn DeShauna Smith, Black transgender woman – Shreveport, LA – Oct 7, 2020
Felycya Harris, Black transgender woman – Augusta, GA – Oct 3, 2020
Michellyn Ramos Vargas, Latinx transgender woman – San Germán, PR – Sep 30, 2020
Mia Green, Black transgender woman – West Philadelphia, PA – Sep 28, 2020
Carlos “Carlitos” Jimenez, Latinx queer man – The Bronx, NY – Sep 27, 2020
Aerrion Burnett, Black transgender woman – Independence, MO – Sep 19, 2020
Massiah Berkley, Black queer man – Far Rockaway, NY – Sep 7, 2020
Lea Rayshon Daye – Cleveland, OH – Aug 30, 2020
Jonathan Breeding, queer man – Waco, TX – Aug 17, 2020
Kee Sam, Black transgender woman – Lafayette, LA – Aug 13, 2020
Aja Raquell Rhone Spears, Black transgender woman – Portland, OR – July 28, 2020
Queasha D Hardy, Black transgender woman – Baton Rouge, LA – July 27, 2020
Tiffany Harris/Dior H Ova, Black transgender woman – Bronx, NY – July 26, 2020
Marilyn “Monroe” Cazares, Latinx transgender woman – Brawley, CA – July 13, 2020
Jose Isaias Escobar Mendez, Latinx gay man – Sterling, VA – July 8, 2020
Summer Taylor, White non-binary person – Seattle, WA – July 4, 2020
Bree Black, Black transgender woman – Pompano Beach, FL – July 3, 2020
Shaki Peters, Black transgender woman – Louisiana – July 1, 2020
Merci Mack, Black transgender woman – Dallas, TX – June 30, 2020
Tatiana Hall, Black transgender woman – Philadelphia, PA – June 29, 2020
Brayla Stone, Black transgender woman – Arizona – June 25, 2020
Riah Milton, Black transgender woman – Liberty Township, OH – June 9, 2020
Dominique “Rem’mie’ Fells, Black transgender woman – Philadelphia, PA – June 8, 2020
Selena Reyes-Hernandez, Latinx transgender woman – Chicago, IL – May 31, 2020
Rebecca Gavilanez Alectus, Black queer cisgender woman – Brick Township, TX – May 17, 2020*
Christopher Rodriguez, gay cisgender man – Harlem, New York – May 16, 2020.
Jayne Thomson, white transgender woman – Aurora, CO – May 11, 2020
Nina Pop, Black transgender woman – Sikeston, Missouri – May 3, 2020
Layla Pelaez Sánchez, Puerto Rican transgender woman – Humacao, Puerto – April 21, 2020
Penélope Díaz Ramírez, Puerto Rican transgender woman – Puerto Rico – April 13, 2020
Johanna Metzger, white transgender woman – Baltimore, MD – April 11, 2020
Ashley Moore, Black transgender woman – Newark, NJ – April 1, 2020
Scott DeVore/Scottlynn Kelly DeVore – Augusta, GA – Mar 13, 2020
Yampi Méndez Arocho, Latinx transgender man – Moca, Puerto Rico – Mar 5, 2020
Alexa Ruiz, Puerto Rican transgender woman – Toa Baja, Puerto Rico – February 24, 2020
Kenneth Paterimos, Latinx bisexual cisgender man – Chicago, IL – February 21, 2020
Bashar Kallabat, queer cisgender man – Birmingham, MI – February 11, 2020
Kenneth Savinski, white gay cisgender man – New York, NY – January 31, 2020
NCAVP receives information about homicides from local organizations, community members, and media accounts. While NCAVP strives to honor people in their identities, the identities listed are based on this information and may not be entirely accurate. It’s important to note that some identities and experiences are often erased in media, particularly bisexual people and gender nonconforming people.
NCAVP is a resource for anyone who experiences violence. For more information, or to locate an anti-violence 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.