BY AJ TRAGER
DETROIT – Three of Detroit's own trans people of color have been reported murdered or significantly harmed in the last month. Since January, 17 trans women have been found murdered throughout the nation, the majority being trans women of color. Not much is known about the motive behind these killings, but national statistics show that the trend is not regional to Detroit.
The LGBT community faces more challenges than its straight-identified counterparts and none more so than trans women of color. Trans women who survive hate attacks are six times more likely to experience physical violence when interacting with the police than are other LGB survivors, according to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, 41 percent of trans and gender nonconforming people have attempted suicide. And that's just the beginning of the overwhelming number of statistics showcasing how many systems harm the trans community.
During the first two months of 2015, seven trans women of color were murdered, a rate of almost one per week, in the U.S. The Detroit police investigated three hate crimes, including a murder, against transgender people in the Palmer Park area last year.
In 2013, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs reported that 72 percent of anti-LGBT homicide victims were trans women and that 67 percent were trans women of color. In 2014, they reported that trans women were 5.8 times more likely to experience police violence and 6.1 times more likely to experience physical violence from the police.
Amber Monroe
Amber Monroe, 20, a trans Wayne State University student, was found shot and killed on the city's west side Aug. 8 near Six Mile and Woodward. Monroe is the 13th transgender woman murdered in the U.S. this year and the 10th trans woman of color.
"Our hearts are heavy with grief that we have lost another vibrant member of our community too soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Amber's family and friends whom she clearly loved deeply. We have no idea yet whether this attack was fueled by transphobia," Yvonne Siferd, director of Victim Services for Equality Michigan, said. "Transgender women, and especially transgender women of color, are disproportionately affected by violence. Her life was just beginning; I know that this loss will leave so many people with a hole in their lives and with more questions than answers. Let's come together to celebrate her life, and work for real change so that our transgender sisters can be free from persecution. I know we can do better. We have to do better."
According to Equality Michigan, Monroe loved her friends and voguing.
The funeral for Monroe was held Aug. 16 at Caver Memorial Funeral Home in Detroit. Monroe had many friends at Ruth Ellis Center, and in honor of her memory REC accepted donations to Ruth's Angels to help pay for the funeral.
Name Not Disclosed
A trans woman of color was hospitalized Aug. 11 after sustaining injuries in her hand after being attacked near the intersection of John R and Nevada around 3:50 a.m. Her name has not been released.
The 29-year-old victim was walking in the area when someone drove up and fired a shot from inside the vehicle striking her hand.
"We are extremely relieved that today's shooting did not result in fatality, still, we are incredibly concerned for the safety of trans women in the Detroit area. This is the second transgender woman that has been shot in three days. While we do not know whether this incident is related in any way to Amber's (Monroe) murder, we want to remind everyone to remain vigilant and look out for one another," Equality Michigan wrote on their Facebook page.
"We have a lot of work to do to improve the safety and well being for trans women in Detroit, and all of Michigan. Today, and every day, we call on our legislators to amend Michigan's hate crimes statute, the Michigan Ethnic Intimidation Act, to include sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Our communities are disproportionately at risk for violence based on hatred. It is time that our legislators recognize our humanity."
If anyone has any information about either shooting, please report to Detroit Police Department's anonymous tip line at 1-800-SPEAK-UP or call Equality Michigan at 313-537-7000 x 114.
Ashton O'Hara
Ashton O'Hara, 25, identified as transgender and was genderfluid and was using male pronouns at the time of his death. His body was found brutally murdered in a field in Detroit on July 14. He was the 14th reported murder of a trans person this year, the 12th trans person of color.
"I know Ashton is with God, but every day is a challenge. I hope speaking about this might help save somebody — even just one person saved will be worth it. A lot of people find it hard to be themselves in this world, but Ashton was always uniquely him. It's time for everyone to be respected," said O'Hara's mother, Rebecca.
By all accounts, Ashton was full of love for his family and friends and lived life on his terms. He loved kids, to dance, to perform at clubs and he loved doing hair (he taught himself how to braid extensions at the age of 4). He reportedly told his mother at the age of 2, "Mama, you are so pretty, I want to be just like you when I grow up."
Even though Ashton had so much love in his life, he often felt alone, and that no one really loved him.
"Maybe the kind of love he was searching for was to love himself," Rebecca said.
After Rebecca found out the news, a candlelight vigil was held. She was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support by friends and family at the funeral on July 20. Her one request of those in attendance was to wear bright colors, "because my son lived."
The Detroit Police Department recently earned high praise from Rebecca at an LGBT community conversation, held Aug. 12, for its treatment of her and Ashton.
"They have been so considerate. I was shocked that they actually care about who he was. They were so sincere. I feel like things are different with this chief. I think he really cares, and I never felt that way about any of the other chiefs. I'm glad I got to thank him in person," she said.
The Detroit Police Department has suspect, Larry B. Gaulding, in custody and a first-degree murder trial is set to begin on Sept. 24.
"For the third time in less than seven days, we have had to report on violence against a trans person of color in our community. I cannot begin to express the outrage and sadness that we are experiencing," said Siferd. "I am so grateful, that through this grief, I have had the pleasure of talking with Ashton's mom about who he was, how he lived and how he loved. Out of respect for Rebecca, we ask that all inquiries be focused on Ashton's life, rather than on the gruesome details of his murder."
