NCAVP mourns the death of Brandi Seals, a Black transgender woman killed in Houston, Texas, on December 13, 2017. Brandi Seals is at least the 28th transgender and gender-nonconforming person we have lost to violence in 2017. According to media reports, Seals was found fatally shot, early on the morning of the 13th. Police are investigating her death as a homicide, though the investigation is still in its early stages. Early media reports misgendered and mis-named Brandi, and she was correctly identified by local activist Atlantis Narcisse, founder of Save our Sisters, a local group for Black transgender women. Brandi’s memory was honored in a vigil on December 14, at Brandon and Red Bud streets in Sunnyside.
We mourn the loss of Brandi Seals, and send love and care to her friends and loved ones. She was remembered by her aunt as a “loving, beautiful person.” She will be missed.
In memory of Brandi Seals.
Another vigil has been planned for Brandi Seals, and will be at Houston City Hall at 5 p.m. on December 15.
If you are in the Houston area and need support, NCAVP member the Montrose Counseling Center is here to support you in a number of ways, including their Trans*Fabulous Support Group which meets every Wednesday 7 pm. For more information call their 24 hour helpline at (713) 529-3211, or visit www.montrosecounselingcenter.org.
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.