New Orleans Trans Community Meets with City Leaders Over Violence, Killings

After back-to-back killings of transgender women in New Orleans, the trans community met with city leaders Friday during a town hall to halt the increase in hate-related violence.

The town hall, partly organized by Transitions Louisiana leader Jada Mercedes Cardona, brought out a small crowd of trans community members and allies. Representing the city were council members Jason Williams and LaToya Cantrell, as well as New Orleans Police LGBT liaison Frank Robertson.

The meeting came after two trans women, Chyna Gibson and Ciara McElveen, were killed within two days of each other in February.

Related: 7 Trans Women of Color Have Been Murdered in 2017

Trans speakers and the city officials discussed ways to make trans victims feel safer in reporting violence or seeking medical treatment at area hospitals.

While many were encouraged by the dialogue, one attendee hoped more town halls could happen more often--"not just when somebody's dead or left in a gutter," according to NOLA.com/the Times-Picayune.