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The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) mourns the death of Chay Reed, a Black transgender woman, killed in Miami, Florida on April 21st, 2017. According to media reports, she was shot while running across the street; her attacker fled the scene. Friends remembered Chay as a funny, caring friend who loved to dance and “was a light, always trying to make everyone around her happy.”
“We send our love and thoughts to the friends, family and loved ones of Chay Reed,” said Emily Waters, Senior Manager of National Research and Policy at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. “There is more awareness than ever of the violence that transgender and gender non-conforming people face, and yet we continue to see a roll back of rights and protections in schools, employment and other areas, as well as transphobic rhetoric being used by political leaders. Every day we have an option to be silent or to be loud and bold in our support for our transgender communities, friends and family members. Now is the time for each of us to choose to be loud and bold.”
NCAVP’s most recent hate violence report, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected 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 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.
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.