NCAVP mourns the homicide of Alphonza Watson, a Black transgender woman killed in Baltimore, Maryland

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The In Memoriam Page is the complete listing.

This is the 8th reported killing of a transgender person of color NCAVP has responded to in 2017.

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) mourns the death of Alphonza Watson, a Black transgender woman, killed in Baltimore, Maryland on March 22nd, 2017. According to media reports, she was shot to death in the early morning hours and two men were witnessed fleeing the scene. Alphonza’s mother, Peggy Watson, called her the “the sunshine of our family” and talked about her daughter’s love of cooking and gardening. “She was a very caring, passionate, fun person to be around, always in a talkative and playful mood,” her mother remembered.

“We send our love and thoughts to the friends, family and loved ones of Alphonza Watson,” said Emily Waters, Senior Manager of National Research and Policy at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. “These homicides are happening within the context of a presidential administration that is hostile to transgender people and while religious exemption and bathroom access legislation are sweeping the nation. We must resist an administration and lawmakers who seek to legislate hate and discrimination and we must be louder and bolder than ever in our support for our transgender communities, friends and family members.”

NCAVP’s most recent hate violence report, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIVAffected Hate Violence in 2015, recorded 24 reported hate violence homicides of LGBTQ people, a 20% increase from the 20 reported anti-LGBTQ homicides in 2014. Of the 24 reported homicides, 62% of the victims were people of color. Sixteen (67%) of the 24 reported homicide victims were transgender and gender non-conforming. Of the total number of homicides, thirteen (54%) of the victims were transgender women of color.

In 2016, NCAVP responded to the homicides of 23 transgender and gender nonconforming people, the highest ever recorded by the Coalition.

NCAVP is a resource for anyone who experiences violence. For more information, or to locate an antiviolence 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.

If you are a member of the media, please contact: Sue Yacka, New York City Anti-Violence Project: syacka@avp.org or 212-714-1184

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.