The Organization of American States has been busy collecting data on the dangers of being LGBT in the Americas. A recent report reveals that 39 Lesbian, Gay and Transgender people were murdered in July of this year alone…23 of them transgender.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) of the OAS issued a warning earlier this month, “reiterat[ing] its deep concern on violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, trans, bisexual and intersex persons (LGTBI), and against persons perceived as such in the Americas. IACHR urges OAS Member States to adopt urgent measures to prevent this violence and discrimination. In particular, the Commission is concerned about the high levels of violence and discrimination faced by gay, lesbian and trans youth in the region.
The largest number of transgender people was committed in Brazil (9), followed by Honduras (4), Columbia, Mexico and Peru (2 each), and Jamaica, Paraguay, Venezuela and the US (1 each). A majority of the victims were were under 25 years of age and died from being shot…multiple times. The vast majority of the 13 gay men murdered were beaten to death. All three Lesbians murdered were Brazilian women who were not yet 25.
Around the world it is estimated that 5 transgender people will be murdered every week.
To be clear, any murder is one murder too many. And it’s important to remember that each number represents a person. So when gays and lesbians outnumber transgender people about six to one, yet transgender people are being murdered at a rate that’s about 50 percent more than the murder rate for gays and lesbians, well, it’s beyond comprehension.
There is a vigil this evening at Jackie Robinson Park in Harlem for Islan Nettles, who was beaten two weeks ago in front of a police station by a group of men. She was declared brain dead last week and taken off life support on Thursday.
The father of Dantjier Powell, wanted in connection with the murder of Fontana, Ca transwoman Domonique Newburn, is pleading with his son to turn himself in.
I wouldn’t be saying this if I didn’t love you. I’m coming out from my heart and my soul. Everybody’s here — your brothers, your sisters. We all agree, you should come on, turn yourself in. … Come home. Just turn yourself in and we’ll take care of it.
--Loueadry Powell
Neighbors of Newburn, a web reality show star, said they heard her screaming last Tuesday. When police arrived, they found her door unlocked and her body in the living room near a window. It is thought she was attempting to escape through the window.
Neighbors witnessed a man removing clothes and a computer from her apartment before driving away in her black Mercedes. The car was later found in a san Bernadino park.
There was a vigil for Domonique on Wednesday.
As a transgender woman myself, it’s not fair. I would have friends or sisters who don’t really have to worry about the things I have to worry about, and in so many ways it’s just scary.
--Isabel Ramirez
Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Dantjier Dominick Powell, who they say may have fled the state with Jamie Nicole Cotton, 25, of Highland. The arrest warrant includes extradition.
Police say that Powell may have been in a relationship with Newburn, who appeared in an Web reality show called Hollywood Houseboys under the stage name Domonique Beckham.
We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of our sister, Domonique Newburn. Domonique was an amazing person whose spirit transcended gender. When we set out to document our lives for reality television, we never once wished to make headlines like this. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with her family.
--Ryan Hope, producer of the show