India Clarke is at least the 11th trans woman murdered in the US this year
Wednesday morning, India Clarke joined the list as at least the 11th trans woman in the US to be murdered in 2015.
She was studying to be a cosmetologist in Florida and described by her mother Thelma Clarke as “good-hearted” and “very loving.”
Thelma Clarke told WTSP 10 News: “No, it did not matter to me. I didn’t care what he was.
“I still love them — and he knew that. I can say he knew his mother loved him regardless.”
The 25-year-old’s beaten body was found in a Tampa Bay, Florida, park by an employee on Wednesday morning.
Her death was caused by blunt force trauma.
With no suspects, the police are refusing to label the crime as hate-motivated just yet.
The news source repeatedly misgendered her, even entitling a segment: “Man dressed as woman found murdered.”
In 2014, 12 transgender women were counted as having been killed in the country.
In July of 2015, the United States has already reached 11, but that does not count victims that were not properly identified.
Today, the hashtags #TenTooMany and #SayHerName have cropped up on Twitter in response to the deaths.
The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter has been popularized in recent months because of publicised police brutality.
Much of the social media support comes from the African American community, as a good portion of the victims were trans women of color.
Other hashtags, like #ProtectTransLives and #GirlsLikeUs, have been springing up.
Additionally, much of the outrage on social media has been directed towards the death of Sandra Bland in police custody.
Many suspect foul play was involved in what was publicly deemed a suicide.
The other trans women include 20-year-old Papi Edwards in January, 30-year-old Lamia Beard in January, 24-year-old Ty Underwood in January, 33-year-old Yazmin Vash Payne in January, 36-year-old Taja deJesus in February, 21-year-old Penny Proud in February, 46-year-old Kristina Grant Infiniti in February, 27-year-old Mya Hall in March, 21-year-old London KiKi Chanel in May and 17-year-old Mercedes Williamson in June.
Additionally, 22-year-old Bri Golec and 33-year-old Keyshia Blige could be on the list, but close friends and family disagree on how they would have them identified.
Photo: Mercedes Williamson’s Facebook page
Amongst the victims, young Ms Williamson aspired to be a cosmetologist one day.
Photo: London KiKi Chanel’s Facebook page
London KiKi Chanel had “a heart of gold,” said her friend Kione Seymore to NBC 10.
Photo: Kristina Grant Infiniti
Kristina Grant Infiniti worked as an entertainer in Miami, Florida.
Photo: Taja Gabrielle deJesus
Taja Gabrielle deJesus identifed as a Leo who liked to dance.
