Derricka Banner Becomes The 20th Known Trans Person Murdered This Year

Rest in power.

A trans woman of color was shot Tuesday morning in Charlotte, North Carolina, making her the 20th known transgender person killed.

Derricka Banner was reportedly found shot to death in a car shortly after 3 a.m. Montavious Sanchez Berry, 18, was later arrested and charged with her murder.

The homicide comes days before Charlotte’s Transgender Pride, which will take place from September 15-17.

Transgender individuals ― particularly trans women of color ― are among some of the most vulnerable members of the public, often facing disproportionate levels of violence in comparison to the rest of the LGBTQ community. According to GLAAD, 2016 was the deadliest year on record for the transgender community, with 26 reported murders ― almost entirely transgender women of color.

Before You Go

Evan, Spring Lake, Michigan, 2013

Transgender Military Photo Series by Jeff Sheng

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