Philly Transsexual Murder

[VictoriaVeil]

GALAEI and MAZZONI CENTER are hosting a Speak Out and Vigil in honor of Diamond, a transgender woman who was brutally murdered last week in the city’s Strawberry Mansion section. Representatives from GALAEI’s TIP (Trans-health Information Program) and Mazzoni Center’s Trans* Wellness project will honor the name and life of their sister who was lost to violence, and call for justice and respect.

Violence against transgender women is unfortunately a harsh reality in our city. This event is an opportunity for community members to gather, speak out, and organize against the violence that continues to threaten the lives of transgender women in Philadelphia.


Speaking:

Aamina Morrison– TIP Co-Director
Samantha Jo Dato – Trans* Wellness Project
Christian Axavier Lovehall – Philly Trans* March
Sade Ali –Philadelphia Deputy Commissioner Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services, Morris Home Founder
Gloria Casarez - Director of LGBT Affairs, Mayor's Office

[Remy757Photog]

GALAEI and MAZZONI CENTER are hosting a Speak Out and Vigil in honor of Diamond, a transgender woman who was brutally murdered last week in the city’s Strawberry Mansion section. Representatives from GALAEI’s TIP (Trans-health Information Program) and Mazzoni Center’s Trans* Wellness project will honor the name and life of their sister who was lost to violence, and call for justice and respect.

Violence against transgender women is unfortunately a harsh reality in our city. This event is an opportunity for community members to gather, speak out, and organize against the violence that continues to threaten the lives of transgender women in Philadelphia.


Speaking:

Aamina Morrison– TIP Co-Director
Samantha Jo Dato – Trans* Wellness Project
Christian Axavier Lovehall – Philly Trans* March
Sade Ali –Philadelphia Deputy Commissioner Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services, Morris Home Founder
Gloria Casarez - Director of LGBT Affairs, Mayor's Office

I hadn't heard about this, but is very sad news indeed.

[youngblood61]

Thanks for the heads up Victoria.:)

[BeardedOne]

Thanks for this info, VV. Is there a date/time available?

This horror has hit especially close to home and has had me worried for my friends in Philly that I don't hear from often enough.

[VictoriaVeil]

Community continues to grieve Williams
by Angela Thomas
an hour ago | 60 views | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend | print
On July 13, a transgender woman was brutally murdered in North Philadelphia. The following week, her alleged murderer was captured and, days later, the LGBT community game together to mourn.

And now, the LGBT community is ready to keep up the fight for justice for Diamond Williams.

Williams, 31, was a former member of The Attic Youth Center who aspired to be a nurse.

On July 20, Charles Sargent, 43, was charged with her murder.

Authorities say Sargent allegedly stabbed Williams in his Strawberry Mansion home and then dismembered her body, dumping her remains in a vacant field at York and Sedgley streets. It has been reported that the two had a sexual relationship, but police have continued to decline comment on the nature of their relationship to PGN.

Police did not respond to multiple requests by PGN for additional information on the investigation.

On July 23, the LGBT and ally community gathered at Love Park to both mourn the loss of a friend and call for justice for her, as well as for other local transgender women who were murdered, including Kyra Cordova last year, Stacey Blahnik in 2010 and Nizah Morris in 2002.

For various community leaders, Williams’ murder opens up old wounds, but it has also motivated some to work to correct the rights that were wronged.

For Gloria Casarez, the city’s director of LGBT affairs, one wrong came from local media outlets that originally reported Williams’ gender identity as male instead of female.

“There has been a mix of feelings,” Casarez said. “Initially, the media coverage was disappointing and didn’t respect or reflect her gender identity, so initially folks were shocked, insulted and angry when her life wasn’t reflected accurately. Now I think there is a changing tide; subsequent coverage has been reflective and accurate.”

Casarez did note that the community response felt different this time, as the alleged killer has been caught, but that it has reinvigorated the push for justice for other victims.

“It is the first case in long time where we actually have the suspect arrested, so it is very different than Nizah or Kyra or Stacey,” she said. “Of course whenever something like this happens, we think about the other cases, not just murder but the violence in our communities. It kicks up things for folks whether you knew that person or not.”

Samantha Jo Dato, peer outreach worker for Mazzoni Center’s Trans* Wellness Project, attended a self-help class with Williams last October at the Morris Home. Dato said it was important to make sure that people are made aware of the transgender community.

“Diamond is a part of a long list of victims in Philly who are trans who have been attacked, murdered or brutally killed, so what we are trying to do is make people aware that trans people exist and get them out of danger’s way,” Dato said.

The Trans* Wellness Project and Mazzoni’s Sisterly Love Project had a planned meeting Aug. 1 to discuss a collaboration to keep the focus on Williams’ case.

Topics of safety within both the trans community and sex-work industry have been at the forefront of conversations among the community in the past few weeks.

But, said Elicia Gonzales, executive director of GALAEI: A Queer Latin@ Social Justice Organization, neither community should be open to the victim-blaming that she’s seen.

“I think it’s a matter of holding the people who perpetrate and murder trans people accountable and sending a clear message that this behavior will not be tolerated,” she said. “Stop pointing the finger at those who are hurt. People are just trying to survive.”

Casarez agreed, noting that the LGBT and ally community should continue to keep lines of communication open with loved ones and friends.

“Sometimes people are forced to live in dangerous situations and are in dangerous situations, so I definitely think having friends you are checking in with regularly is a good thing,” she said.

Police Public Affairs commanding officer Lt. John Stanford said the case is not being investigated as a hate crime. The District Attorney’s Office did not respond to whether it will track this as a hate crime.

Casarez, however, contended Williams’ murder was clearly brought from hate.

“In initial media reports, we heard that [Sargent] tried to use the ‘she tricked me’ defense and that has been used for decades and sometimes can be successful. The reality is that she was killed because she was transgender, so I think we will have to follow this case. I have full confidence that the DA will follow this aggressively.”

Sargent is currently being held at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility and will face a preliminary hearing Aug. 7.

With Sargent caught, the community has now turned its attention to keeping Williams’ legacy alive. Gonzales said keeping the conversation going about anti-trans violence is one way.

“I think in doing some of the work that we have been doing and trying to do for a long time is a step in the right direction,” she said. “The fact that the community rallied together so quickly and bonded over this means that we have to have ongoing conversations about how to right a system that continues to be wrong in many ways.”

Trans activist and co-founder of the Philly Trans* March Christian Lovehall spoke at the vigil that was held for Williams.

Lovehall said it was important to keep Williams’ story fresh and to continue the fight for equality for all.

“I think it’s all about acknowledging what happened to her and that she was a person. She was a friend, a sister, a loved one, and knowing that her flaws did not epitomize her personality. Although it’s sad to have to add more and more names to the [Transgender Day of Remembrance] list every year, we must speak her name as a community. We also can keep Diamond’s legacy alive by remaining resilient in the fight towards freedom as a community.”

Casarez said William’s murder can push the investigations in the other murders forward.

“This draws attention to these other cases. We want to get resolutions for Kyra’s family. Kyra was active in the community and with her family. They loved her and supported her and respected her gender identity and they are hurting and it’s the same with Stacey’s family,” Casarez said, noting that Blahnik’s mother periodically emails her to catch up on the investigation. “We need to make sure families are briefed on status of investigations. I believe there are witnesses that have seen things. We need everyone engaged and even the rumors are important for us to get and follow up on. There is a role for everyone.”

Lovehall added that he hopes Williams’ story encourages unity among the LGBT community year-round.

“We have to come together as one community and combine our efforts in fighting against transphobia and hate violence,” Lovehall said. “We have to confront the very real racial tensions that often separate us and realize the power in numbers and that we are all in this together. We have to let our voices be heard, not just once a year at Philly Trans* March or at vigils, but all year in all different types of ways.”


Read more: PGN-The Philadelphia Gay News. Phila gay news. philly news - Community continues to grieve Williams

[Falling]

jesus! At least they caught the dude!

[BeardedOne]

Not two weeks later and another transgender woman is shot in her own apartment in Northern Liberties. Philly's lost its collective mind. :(

[VictoriaVeil]

Not two weeks later and another transgender woman is shot in her own apartment in Northern Liberties. Philly's lost its collective mind. :(

If you are referring to the story i think you are, that happened last october. but like I said before the North End in Philly is no joke.

[VictoriaVeil]

I take that back the bit about it last october.. that was yet another one. .. Found the story...

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/dncrime/Woman-hospitalized-after-being-shot-inside-Northern-Liberties-apartment.html

[BeardedOne]

Yes, Google searches keep coming up with the one from last year. There have been no updates on the latest one. It has me worried, as I know gurls up there that I don't hear from often. A couple have since checked in, but the not-knowing is excruciating. :(

[Bobzz]

I live and work in the Philadelphia area and while I am genuinely saddened by the attacks on transgendered women for any reason; however, I am hardly surprised that this sort of thing happens. When people (regardless of gender) choose a marginal lifestyle such as street prostitution, drug dealing, car theft, etc. statistics show that the very clientele that they attract is often the cause of their own demise. It is no doubt unpopular or perhaps even grossly insensitive to make such a sweeping statement about transgendered street prostitutes (and I'm including craigslist and backpage here) but at some level you have to say "what did they expect?". By the way, this isn't a justification for violence at any level.

Philadelphia, like all major metropolitan areas suffers from a history of violence whether it's black on white, black on black or white on white. You'd have to stupid to choose any lifestyle that consistently puts you in harms way whether through violence, drugs or disease. I don't buy the argument that transgendered women have no choice and are forced into this lifestyle because limited job opportunities and career paths. I know transgendered women who are doctors, lawyers, photographers, chefs, restaurant hostesses and hairdressers who have never done the "street thing". I'm not saying that they've not had or engaged at any time in "sex for money" but they've managed to, as Chris Rock said "keep-off the pole". On the other hand, if you lie down with dogs, you'll get fleas or worse.

The majority of the violent crimes against transgendered women in Philadelphia have been against women of color who for whatever reason chose the rougher end of the sex for hire trade. It seems to me that the logic is unassailable...if you want to avoid the prospect of violence, disease and death, avoid the street.

[VictoriaVeil]

Hey Bob,

Thanks for Chiming in. A couple things I'd like to respond to. On the whole, "What did you expect" comment. As I mentioned the north end is a rough place. how rough? It has a nickname: Killadelphia.

So lets try to answer your question: If you lived in a place where drugs,theft, and yes gun violence is very active for years of your life, Do you think it would make it a challenge to avoid violence no matter what the chosen profession?

According to the NCTE it really doesn't matter. 63% of people who identify as trans have experienced discrimination on such a scale it had a major impact on their lives. Transgendered face abnormally high threats, and acts, of violence compared to the rest of the general population as well as higher rates for unemployment, HIV, racism, Homelessness and more. We've been discussing Philly, but is not a local issue, its Global.

By the way, there really isn't any problem with the logic, being on the street makes it more likely to be victimized. but heck half of all the cars stolen in Pennsylvania are stolen in Philly and 100% of those crimes happen on the street.

[BeardedOne]

Oddly enough, at least a couple of the women I am worried about aren't in the 'street life', so getting a sudden case of lead poisoning isn't necessarily exclusive to one's particular lifestyle.

[iagodelgado]

I have 'visited' Philly twice, for about 2 hours each time, both in the very nice touristy bit. Very nice.

I know that the non-touristy bit of Philly can be - well, not so nice.

So here's a simple question, please. Why is it that someone who is trans would work in the not so nice parts of Philly, rather than moving to NYC or LA and doing exactly the same work?

[VictoriaVeil]

I have 'visited' Philly twice, for about 2 hours each time, both in the very nice touristy bit. Very nice.

I know that the non-touristy bit of Philly can be - well, not so nice.

So here's a simple question, please. Why is it that someone who is trans would work in the not so nice parts of Philly, rather than moving to NYC or LA and doing exactly the same work?

The woman who was murdered was found in a lousy part of town. She was picked up (met) at a very well known bar in the heart of center city. (A nice part)

Why wouldn't a woman move? I certainly am not about to speak for anyone else, but to me me and I imagine others it is like moving anywhere else. Support Systems or lack of, market to find work/make money, environment etc.

[VictoriaVeil]

Oddly enough, at least a couple of the women I am worried about aren't in the 'street life', so getting a sudden case of lead poisoning isn't necessarily exclusive to one's particular lifestyle.

Hope they are Ok fuzzyface!

[bluesoul]

So here's a simple question, please. Why is it that someone who is trans would work in the not so nice parts of Philly, rather than moving to NYC or LA and doing exactly the same work?

the two cities you mentioned aren't exactly paradise. also, maybe those cities have more competition (for the tricks).

and i share bobzz's view on the topic. i'd also like to respond to the comment below:

"so getting a sudden case of lead poisoning isn't necessarily exclusive to one's particular lifestyle."

neither is getting shot- or dying. it's just that some career lifestyles have a greater degree of occupational hazard. so if am the type of person who puts lead in my mouth or constantly taking really deep breathes around lead dust, i'm probably running a greater risk of getting lead poisoning.

[BeardedOne]

Comment fail. I shouldn't post past a certain hour. :/

[iagodelgado]

The woman who was murdered was found in a lousy part of town. She was picked up (met) at a very well known bar in the heart of center city. (A nice part)


Thanks, Victoria.

[BeardedOne]

Though the suggestion has been made that transwomen that are not in the sex trade are somehow miraculously immune from violent acts, I continue to worry about the friends I have not yet heard from. Meanwhile, I got notes from the one who is an IT worker and another who is a professional artist and they are both fine. Still waiting on other replies.