NCAVP mourns the homicide of Rae'Lynn Thomas, a transgender woman of color killed in Columbus, Ohio

NCAVP mourns the homicide of Rae'Lynn Thomas, a transgender woman of color killed in Columbus, Ohio; the 18th reported killing of a transgender/gender non-conforming person NCAVP has responded to in 2016

August 12, 2016 - The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has learned of the homicide of Rae'Lynn Thomas, a Black transgender woman, in Columbus, Ohio. According to media reports, Rae'Lynn, was shot and killed by her mother's ex-boyfriend, James Allen Byrd, who was living with her family at the time of the homicide. According to Rae'Lynn's family members, Byrd was transphobic, and referred to Rae'Lynn as "the devil" before killing her. Rae'Lynn's family is asking police to investigate this as a hate crime, and Shannon Thomas, Rae'Lynn's aunt, told reporters: "He took a light away from all of us that we can't get back." An additional media report in the Columbus Dispatch, which misnames and misgenders Rae'Lynn, reports that the homicide occurred on Wednesday, August 10th, 2016.

"Our hearts, minds and condolences are with the family, friends, and community of Rae'Lynn in this time of tragedy. As all of us are still mourning and reeling from the death of Skye Mockabee just about two weeks ago, all of us at BRAVO are saddened and outraged as our communities continue to be repeatedly targeted and we remain steadfast in providing services to the LGBTQI communities of Ohio," said Aaron Eckhardt, Training and Technical Assistance Director of BRAVO. "We must continue to come together as a broad community of support to say hate has no home in Ohio, hate has no home anywhere," Eckhardt added.

"This is the fifth homicide of a transgender woman of color that NCAVP has responded to this summer and the third this week, said Emily Waters, Senior Manager of National Research and Policy at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "We know that these homicides are rooted in the racism, misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia that exist in our everyday environments and lead to increased violence against Transgender people of color. We are calling on everyone to challenge transphobia and racism when they hear it or see it."

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.

This is the eighteenth* reported killing of a transgender or gender non-conforming person that NCAVP has responded to this year. Along with Rae'Lynn Thomas we have lost Erykah Tijerina, a Latinx transgender woman (El Paso, TX), Skye Mockabee, a Black transgender woman (Cleveland, OH) Dee Whigham, a Black transgender woman (St. Martin. Mississippi), Deeniquia Dodds, a Black transgender woman (Washington, DC) Goddess Diamond, a black transgender woman (New Orleans, LA), Amos Beede, a white transgender man (Burlington, VT), Mercedes Successful, a Black transgender woman (Haines City, FLA), Reese Walker, a Black Transgender Women (Wichita, KS), Keyonna Blakeney, a Black transgender woman (Rockville, MD), Shante Thompson, a Black transgender woman (Houston, TX), Jasmine Sierra, a Latin@ transgender woman (Bakersfield, CA), Monica Loera, a Latina transgender woman (Austin, TX), Kayden Clarke, a white transgender man (Mesa, AZ), Maya Young, a Black transgender woman (Philadelphia, PA), Demarkis Stamsberry, a Black transgender man (Baton Rouge, LA), and Kedarie/Kandicee Johnson, a Black, gender-fluid 16-year-old (Burlington, IA) and Quartney Davia Dawsonn-Yochum, a Black transgender woman (Los Angeles, CA).

*NCAVP is also looking into the death of Veronica Cano, a Black transgender woman, in San Antonio Texas. As of now there is no known cause of death, however, we are continuing to monitor.

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.

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.