Record Number of Transgender People Killed in 2020, Majority Black Trans Women

The Human Rights Campaign documented at least 44 violent deaths of transgender and gender non-conforming people in 2020 — the highest number recorded since HRC began tracking in 2013. The majority were Black transgender women. Victims included Dominique 'Rem'mie' Fells (Philadelphia, June 2020), Riah Milton (Liberty Township, OH, June 2020), and Brayla Stone (Sherwood, AR, June 2020). Black trans women face compounded risks from anti-trans violence, anti-Black violence, economic marginalization, and homelessness. Many cases received limited media coverage and some misgendered victims. Advocates pointed to housing discrimination, employment discrimination, and criminalization of survival sex work as structural drivers.