As Black History Month comes to a close, we must take a hard, unflinching look at a crisis that continues to be overlooked, downplayed, and outright ignored—the epidemic of violence against Black and Brown transgender women. This is not hyperbole. It is a brutal reality that trans women of color face at disproportionate rates, often without justice, recognition, or societal outrage.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: A Crisis Unfolding in Real-Time
For years, statistics have pointed to an undeniable truth: trans women of color, particularly Black trans women, are at an exponentially higher risk of being murdered compared to their white trans counterparts and cisgender individuals. According to data collected by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), year after year, Black trans women make up the majority of reported transgender homicide victims. And yet, these numbers only scratch the surface.
The reality is that many of these murders go unreported or misclassified. Law enforcement agencies often misgender victims, a practice that erases them even in death. This lack of proper documentation distorts the true scale of the crisis, making it easier for the world to turn a blind eye.
The Intersection of Racism, Transphobia, and Misogyny
To understand why trans women of color are so often targeted, we have to recognize the toxic intersection of racism, transphobia, and misogyny. The world is already unsafe for transgender people, with the rising wave of anti-trans legislation, hate crimes, and societal stigma. When you add race and gender into the equation, the danger multiplies.
Black and Brown trans women live at the crossroads of multiple oppressions. They are often hypersexualized, fetishized, and simultaneously dehumanized by a society that views them as disposable. The world tells them in a thousand ways that their lives are worth less, that they do not deserve protection, that justice will not come for them.
The Role of Poverty and Marginalization
Economic insecurity is another major factor that contributes to the vulnerability of trans women of color. Due to systemic discrimination in employment, many are forced into underground economies, including sex work, to survive. Criminalization of sex work and poverty puts them at further risk of violence, both from individuals who prey on their marginalized status and from law enforcement that often fails to protect them.
The lack of safe housing, medical care, and mental health resources also exacerbates the crisis. When survival becomes the primary goal, safety often takes a backseat. And when trans women of color do seek help, they frequently face rejection or outright hostility from social services that are supposed to support them.
Society’s Apathy: Why Aren’t People Outraged?
One of the most infuriating aspects of this epidemic is the sheer apathy surrounding it. Why isn’t there a national outcry? Why aren’t the murders of trans women of color dominating news cycles?
The media plays a significant role in this silence. When trans women of color are murdered, their deaths are often reported in ways that dehumanize them—using their birth names, misgendering them, and framing them as responsible for their own deaths. Contrast this with the response to the murders of cisgender white women, which often spark immediate calls for justice and legislative action.
Then there’s the general societal discomfort with acknowledging violence against transgender people. Many people simply refuse to recognize trans women as women, and even among those who claim to support the LGBTQ+ community, racial biases further marginalize Black and Brown trans voices.
The Impact on the Trans Community
For Black and Brown trans women, this violence is not just news—it’s a daily reality. The fear of walking home alone, of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, of trusting the wrong person, is constant. Every murder serves as a chilling reminder that no matter how strong, resilient, or careful they are, society has deemed their lives expendable.
This crisis also takes a psychological toll on the broader transgender community. Trans women see their sisters murdered without justice and wonder if they’re next. Family members and allies feel helpless in the face of repeated loss. The trauma reverberates, deepening existing mental health struggles and reinforcing a sense of hopelessness.
The Fight for Justice and Change
While the statistics are grim, Black and Brown trans women continue to fight for their survival and for a world where their lives are valued. Activists like Raquel Willis, Bamby Salcedo, and countless others have dedicated their lives to advocating for justice, safety, and policy changes that protect trans lives. Organizations such as the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, the Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, and the Transgender Law Center work tirelessly to provide resources, support, and advocacy for trans people of color.
However, real change requires a collective effort. It is not enough for trans women of color to fight alone. Cisgender people, white LGBTQ+ allies, and society at large must step up and demand justice. That means pushing for policy changes that protect trans people, holding law enforcement accountable for properly investigating crimes against trans individuals, and challenging the media to report these murders with the dignity and accuracy they deserve.
How You Can Help
If you are reading this and want to take action, here are a few ways you can support Black and Brown trans women:
- Donate to organizations that provide resources for trans women of color, such as the Sylvia Rivera Law Project or For the Gworls.
- Amplify their voices. Follow and share the work of Black and Brown trans activists.
- Demand accurate and respectful media coverage. Call out publications that misgender or sensationalize the deaths of trans women.
- Hold your elected officials accountable. Advocate for policies that protect transgender people, such as the Equality Act and the decriminalization of sex work.
- Be a visible ally. Defend trans people in your workplace, community, and family spaces. Your support can save lives.
The Bottom Line
As we close out Black History Month, let’s remember that honoring Black history means protecting Black lives—ALL Black lives, including Black transgender women. The names of those lost to violence should not fade into oblivion. They deserve more than vigils and hashtags; they deserve justice, safety, and a world where they can live freely and without fear.
The silent epidemic of murdered trans women of color must no longer be met with silence. It is time to break that silence and fight for a future where every trans woman—Black, Brown, and beyond—can live with the dignity, respect, and protection they deserve.
