Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old transgender girl in the U.K., was murdered last Saturday. Her death should remind us of the dire need to protect trans youth and all trans lives.
Brianna was known to many via her TikTok account (now removed), and a memorial post by a friend shows a video of her as a joyous teen.
One friend told VICE magazine that Ghey was “a beacon of positivity” and a source of advice for younger trans girls. At the same, time, Ghey faced bullying both online and in real life.
Two 15-year-olds, a boy and a girl, have been arrested on suspicion of murder in the case, and the killing is now being investigated as a possible hate crime, according to the BBC.
In the U.S., at least five trans people have been murdered this year, four of them only in their 20s. Last year, nearly 400 trans people were murdered or died by suicide around the world; 70 in the U.S. Most were people of color. There are at least 150 bills in state legislatures targeting trans people. (The Transformations Project is tracking them.) And if you don’t think there’s a connection between negative rhetoric about people and violence against them, I suggest you study history.
In an added indignity, Ghey’s gender will likely be recorded as male on her death certificate, since under U.K. law, people must be 18 years old, diagnosed with gender dysphoria, and living in their affirmed gender for at least two years before they can get a Gender Recognition Certificate, Insider reports.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Ghey’s parents with funeral costs. My heart goes out to them and to all of her family and friends.
Please be aware of and speak out against anti-trans legislation in your state or locality, and do what you can to support and protect trans youth and all trans people.