November 20th Transgender Day of Remembrance

Every year on November 20th a Day of Remembrance Vigil is held to remember those individuals who were brutally murdered simply because they did not conform to societies standards of what a “real man or woman” looks or acts like. This year’s victims are,

Taysia Elzy
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana USA
Cause of Death: Shot to death by 20 year old Christopher Conwell.
Date of Death: December 26, 2008
Taysia was 34 years old. Taysia and Michael Green were romantically involved and it is believed that they were murdered because Taysia was transgender and Michael was murdered because of his relationship with Taysia. They were both found dead in their apartment.

Michael Green
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana USA
Cause of Death: Shot to death by 20 year old Christopher Conwell.
Date of Death: December 26, 2008
Michael was 22 years old.
While Michael was not transgender, it is believed that he was murdered because he and Taysia Elzy were lovers.They were both found dead in their apartment.

Caprice Curry
Location: San Francisco, California
Cause of Death: Stabbed to death.
Date of Death: January 17, 2009
Caprice was 31 years old.

Image Devereux
Location: Fayetteville, North Carolina
Cause of Death: her murdered body (Ms. Jimmy) was found on Joseph Street behind the old Club Spektrum
Date of Death: April 14, 2009
Image was 34 years old.

Foxy Ivy
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Cause of Death: Stabbed to death
Date of Death: May 25, 2009
Foxy was an African American woman under the age of 35, she was found in Highland Parkand had been fatally shot in the back of the head.

Kelly (Frederick) Watson
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cause of Death: Murdered
Date of Death: June 9, 2009
Kelly was 32 years old. If you have any information on this murder, please call the Albuquerque Police Department at (505) 843-STOP.

Unidentified person wearing woman’s clothing
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cause of Death: Shot multiple times
Date of Death: July 1, 2009
The victim was shot multiple times police sources told NBC 10. She was believed to be in her late 30s, according to police.

Terri Benally
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cause of Death: Beaten to death
Date of Death: July 7, 2009
Terri was 42 years old.

Cesar Torres
Location: El Paso, Texas
Cause of Death: Blunt Force Trauma
Date of Death: July 9, 2009
An autopsy report says Cesar died from blunt force trauma. He had cuts around his eyes, broken ribs, a broken nose, a ruptured liver, wrenched neck and several stab wounds. Cesar was 39 years old.

Beyonce (Eric) Lee
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Cause of Death: Stabbed to death
Date of Death: July 26, 2009
Eric Lee was a drag performer who dressed and performed as the famous singer Beyonce. Eric was found in his apartment where he had been stabbed to death. Eric was 21 years old.

Tyli’a Mack also known as NaNa Boo
Location: Washington, DC
Cause of Death: Stabbed to death
Date of Death: August 26, 2009
Tyli’a was stabbed to death on the street in broad daylight. Tyli’a was 21 years old.

Paulina Ibarra
Location: East Hollywood, California
Cause of Death: Stabbed to death
Date of Death: August 28, 2009
Paulina was found dead inside her apartment, she had been stabbed to death. Paulina was 24 years old.

Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado
Location: Cayey, Peurto Rico
Cause of Death: Decapitated
Date of Death: November 14, 2009
Jorge was found on the site of an isolated road in the city of Cayey, he was partially burned, decapitated, and dismembered, both arms, both legs, and the torso. Jorge was 19 years old.

To find where other vigil are being held or to find a list of victims…
List of Vigils to be held around the world
List of Victims