It's been just short of a month since I last reported on the murder of a transgender person. That was the longest period of the year. But we knew it wasn't going to continue for long.
On October 21, Nueces County (Texas) Sheriff's deputies began investigating the shooting of a person found near Robstown, west of Corpus Christi, who had been shot multiple times. The victim died soon after officers arrived. Although she was misgendered and deadnamed by the sheriff, the deceased was 47-year-old Stephanie Montez, a transgender woman who had been shot in the chest, the abdomen and the shoulder.
She used to like to dance. She really enjoyed life. She was one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet.
She just had a great outlook on life. She was very supportive of everyone.
I don't know why anybody would do this.
--Brittany Ramirez, friend
PFLAG Corpus Christi has organized a Trans Rights Rally for 2 pm November 4, at the federal courthouse in Corpus.
(The rally is) to bring awareness to fact that we're not covered under hate crime laws or anti-discrimination laws. I'm so overwhelmed with getting this stuff done for Stephanie to make sure that she gets the dignity she deserves.
--Kathy Huff, PFLAG
This was the twenty-second murder of a transgender person reported in the US this year.