Despite the positive strides made for the transgender community in 2015, such as Caitlyn Jenner's being awarded Women of the Year and Laverne Cox being the first transgender celebrity to get a wax figure made of her, the year has also seen a violent outlash toward the community.
According to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, at least 22 transgender and gender non-conforming people have been killed this year—most of them people of color. This is the highest record since the advocacy group started tallying this number a few decades ago.
Two national advocacy groups, the Human Rights Campaign and the Trans People of Color Coalition, have reported an "epidemic of violence" against transgender people. Fifteen percent of transgender homicide victims were killed by their significant others, as shown in the report.
"We all grow up with this myth that you can be whatever you want when you grow up," Yvonne Siferd, director of victim services for Equality Michigan, told the Boston Gobe. "When you do grow up and become your authentic self, the fact that you could be targeted for just being you is terrifying."
Stories of victimized transgender individuals are horrifying. Tamara Dominguez, 36, was run over by an SUV several times. The driver fled the scene. She's not the only one to make headlines. Amber Monroe, 20, was also shot in Detroit, and Zella Ziona, who was shot by her boyfriend because he was embarassed by her presence in front of his friends. Keyshia Blige was shot while driving in a car with her friend.
The names and stories of those transgender people who were lost this year are memorialized on the International Transgender Day of Remembrance website. The event itself is held every Nov. 20 to honor people who have lost their lives due to violence toward the transgender community.
