Vigils held in the UK in memory of Brianna Ghey, one of 320 trans and gender diverse people murdered globally in the past year. The annual study by Transgender Europe (TGEU) revealed that most victims were trans women of colour, with almost half being sex workers. The report also highlighted the heightened vulnerability faced by racialised transgender migrants and refugees, as well as the intersectional struggles they encounter. The majority of murder cases were reported in Latin America and the Caribbean, and some trans people are not identified as trans or gender diverse in reports of their deaths, leading to unreported cases.

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Vigils were held across the UK on 20 November to remember Brianna Ghey, a 16-year-old trans student who was tragically killed earlier this year. The vigils were organized to coincide with Trans Day of Remembrance, a day dedicated to honoring the lives of trans and gender diverse individuals who have been victims of violence.

The somber occasion shed light on the alarming statistics revealed by Transgender Europe (TGEU), which released its annual update of the Trans Murder Monitoring project. The report documented a total of 320 murders of trans and gender diverse people between October 2022 and September 2023, slightly lower than the previous year’s report of 327 murders. The majority of the victims, 94 percent, were identified as trans women or trans-feminine individuals. Additionally, almost half of the murdered trans people were known to be sex workers.

Disturbingly, the report also highlighted the racial disparities in violence against trans individuals. Around 80 percent of the reported murders involved trans people affected by racism, a 15 percent increase from the previous year. In Europe, 45 percent of trans people murdered were known to be migrants or refugees.

Farah Abdi, a policy officer at TGEU, emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive support, protection, and advocacy for trans migrants and refugees. Abdi called for a shift away from xenophobia and concerted efforts to address the systemic issues that contribute to their marginalization and violence.

The report revealed that the majority of murder cases occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean, partly due to the existence of established monitoring systems in these regions. However, countries like Armenia, Belgium, and Slovakia reported trans murders for the first time.

TGEU acknowledged that the reported figures are only part of the full picture, as some trans people are not identified as such in reports of their deaths, leaving many potential cases unreported.

In response to the alarming statistics, TGEU, along with five other LGBTQ+ organizations, issued a joint statement calling for activists, policymakers, lawmakers, and donors to take urgent action to protect the lives of trans and gender diverse people. They emphasized the need to create a world that prioritizes the safety and well-being of trans individuals.

The UK was deeply affected by the tragic death of Brianna Ghey in February. The 16-year-old trans student was stabbed in a park in Warrington, leaving her family and the queer community devastated. Thousands of people attended vigils across the country to mourn her loss and express their support for the trans community.

The tragic deaths documented by the Trans Murder Monitoring project serve as a sobering reminder of the ongoing violence faced by trans and gender diverse individuals. It is crucial for society to address the systemic issues that contribute to their marginalization and to ensure that comprehensive support and protection are provided to trans migrants and refugees. The fight for justice and equality continues, as the world works towards creating a safer and more inclusive environment for all..