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Report Sheds Light on America's Epidemic of Anti-Trans Violence

It's the deadliest year on record for trans people, and "divisive and dehumanizing rhetoric" from politicians played a role, says HRC.

A new report from the Human Rights Campaign is shedding light on the ongoing epidemic of anti-transgender violence in America, and honoring the 30-plus trans people who were violently killed this year.

Ahead of Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) this Friday, November 20, HRC has released a report entitled "Fatal Violence Against Transgender Americans." The 68-page document examines the prevalence of hate-motivated violence against trans and gender non-conforming people in the U.S. and unpacks the root causes of transphobia. It also names and celebrates the lives of the 37 known victims of fatal anti-transgender violence in 2020 so far.

As NewNowNext previously reported, that number marks a grim record high since HRC began tracking trans homicides in 2013. Sadly, this epidemic disproportionately impacts Black trans women. According to HRC, a staggering 66% of all known trans and gender non-conforming homicide victims since 2013 were Black trans women.

Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2020/08/28: A participant holding a Black Trans Lives Matter sign at the protest. A coalition of activists and organizations led by activist, poet, and organizer Selu gathered across New York City. The coalition of NYC-based activists and organizations participated on a march through NYC in solidarity with the Get Your Knee Off Our Necks Commitment March on Washington to amplify the movement against police brutality and racial injustice. (Photo by Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The report also pays homage to the late Monica Roberts, a pioneering Black, transgender journalist. Roberts ran TransGriot, GLAAD Award-winning website that routinely broke news stories about trans people and issues. She passed away suddenly this October.

In a statement, Alphonso David, president of HRC, noted that "divisive and dehumanizing rhetoric" from anti-LGBTQ politicians (we're looking at you, President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos) has fanned the flames of this ongoing epidemic.

"Every life that we have lost this year and every year had value and did not deserve to be cut short," David added. "It’s on all of us to fight for change at every level and take action to support trans and gender non-conforming people. We must work to dismantle the stigma that so many in the trans and gender non-conforming community face, and bring this violence to an end."

Read the full report here.

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