Photo: courtesy of Democracy Now!
North Carolina police arrested two men over the shooting deaths of two Black transgender women. The women have been identified as Jaida Peterson and Remy Fennell. They are believed to be at least the 14th and 15th transgender or gender nonconforming people to be violently killed this year.
Meanwhile, states continue to push laws threatening the lives and safety of trans people around the country. Another bill that would bar trans athletes in student sports teams is currently making its way through Florida’s Legislature. In Texas, 10-year-old trans activist Kai Shappley addressed state lawmakers last week to speak out against two bills criminalizing gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth.
Kai Shappley: “Texas legislators have been attacking me since pre-K. I’m in fourth grade now. When it comes to bills that target trans youth, I immediately feel angry. It’s been very scary and overwhelming. It just — it makes me sad that some politicians use trans kids like me to get votes from people who hate me just because I exist.”
