Photo via WikiCommons/
Ad Meskens
Last week, the
murders of three more trans women of color
were reported, bringing the total number of trans people killed this year to 16. Through the work of activists, the alarming spike in violence has attracted national attention, and made clear that the next great social and legal hurdle has to be the acceptance and protection of trans people. Unfortunately, in many states, members of the LGBT community are not afforded the same legal protections as other minority groups. In order to rectify the disparity, a White House petition has been launched calling for formal investigations into the murders.
The petition, which requires 100,000 signatures for the White House to respond, explains:
"With such a high death toll, something must be done to raise awareness and end the senseless killings of a targeted, vulnerable community."
"For Transgender women of color, safety is a real and warranted concern. We are asking the administration to raise awareness and take action to keep this community safe, by conducting a formal investigation of these deaths occurring across the county to the targeted community of Transgender women, particularly women of color."
Visit the White House Petitions website and add your name to this call for justice.
