NCAVP mourns the homicide of Brandi 'Chill' Bledsoe, a transgender woman of color killed in Cleveland, Ohio

NCAVP mourns the homicide of Brandi "Chill" Bledsoe, a transgender woman of color killed in Cleveland, Ohio; the 22nd reported killing of a transgender/gender non-conforming person NCAVP has responded to in 2016

October 13, 2016 - The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has learned of the homicide of Brandi "Chill" Bledsoe, age 32, a Black transgender woman, killed in Cleveland, Ohio on October 8, 2016. According to media reports, Brandi Blesoe was found dead in a driveway in what is suspected to be a homicide. Initial media reports and the medical examiner misgendered Bledsoe, and her family, friends and activists online called out local media for their error and brought attention to her tragic death. Bledsoe's cousin, John Cragget, spoke with the press about his cousin, saying of Bledsoe, "She was really beautiful. She was really sweet and nice."

"This is a critical time, we all have to acknowledge and continue to take action to combat this epidemic of hate and bias violence here in Ohio. We call on all systems, government, and community to commit more resources to combat this violence in Ohio and the nation." says Aaron Eckhardt, Training and Technical Assistance Director of BRAVO. BRAVO is saddened to learn of this most recent homicide. "Our hearts, minds and condolences are with Brandi's family, friends, and community in this time of tragedy. As all of us are still mourning the deaths of Skye Mockabee and Rae'Lynn Thomas just 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. 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."

"We are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of Brandi Bledsoe. We continue to send our thoughts to those who have been impacted by the loss of Brandi," said Emily Waters, Senior Manager of National Research and Policy at the New York City Anti-Violence Project. "This is the 22nd homicide of a transgender person that NCAVP has responded to in 2016, the same number that NCAVP responded to in all of 2015, and the second homicide of a transgender woman of color in the course of a week. We are at a loss, but know that we must continue to say the names of all of the transgender and gender nonconforming people that we have lost, and we must keep working to keep transgender women of color safe. We ask that everyone call out transphobia when they see it and support and listen to transgender people, so that they know that they are a vital part of our communities and that their lives matter."

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 2015, NCAVP responded to the homicides of 22 transgender and gender nonconforming people in total. This is the 22nd * reported killing of a transgender or gender non-conforming person that NCAVP has responded to in 2016.

Along with Brandi Bledsoe we have lost Jazz Alford, a Black transgender woman (Birmingham, AL), Crystal Edmonds, a Black transgender women (Baltimore, MD), T.T. Saffore, a Black transgender woman (Chicago, IL), Rae'Lynn Thomas, a Black transgender woman (Columbus, OH), 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), 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 looking into the death of Lexxi Sironen, a white transgender woman in Waterville, Maine. As of now there is no known cause of death, however, we are continuing to monitor. NCAVP also looked into the death of Veronica Cano, a Black transgender woman, in San Antonio Texas, and at this time do not believe that her death was a homicide. We continue to send support to the loved ones of Veronica Cano.

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.