Bathroom Rules Contribute to the Murders of Trans Women
March 1, 2017Last week, the Trump administration reversed federal guidance outlining protections for transgender students, the same week that Jaquarrius Holland, Chyna Doll Dupree, and Ciara McElveen, three Black trans women, were murdered in New Orleans.Since reports of their deaths, there has been an outpouring of love on social media for these women. After initial news reports misgendered her, Jaquarrius’ family and friends took to social media to correctly identify her as transgender. Her friend, Chesna Littleberry, described the 18-year-old as being someone who loved wearing makeup and doing her hair; she also set up a GoFundMe to cover Jaquarrius’ funeral costs. People have highlighted Chyna’s talent as a drag performer by sharing their favorite performances of hers (check out the video shared below, which has over 80,000 views).
This horrific violence has left the trans community in New Orleans living in fear. With news spreading of Ciara and Chyna’s murders within two days of each other, Ciara’s friend, Syria Sinclaire disclosed to Mic that she was afraid to leave her house. Organizations, like New Orleans-based BreakOUT! are organizing vigils and spaces for trans and gender non-conforming people to gather, while trans-led groups are reminding us that violence against trans people is normalized through policies which paint them as “other,” or dangerous – like the bathroom rules which Trump just enabled.