On Tuesday morning, India Clarke, a 25 year-old Black trans woman, was found murdered outside a community center in Tampa, Florida. According to reports, she died due to blunt force trauma to the upper body.
India's killing marks the tenth known transgender woman murdered in the U.S. in 2015, not including those misgendered, not reported on, or not regarded as transgender women in reports. This is in comparison to the 12 trans women murdered in the U.S. in all of 2014.
In reporting on her murder, several news outlets have been extremely disrespectful, using her birth name while placing her chosen name in quotation marks, and identifying her as "a man dressed in women's clothing." Following outreach from GLAAD and advocates in Florida, several outlets have been working to correct their reports. However, other outelts are continuing to misgender India. GLAAD has created a guide for reporters who are are covering stories involving transgender victims of crime.
GLAAD has been in touch with advocates at TransAction Florida, who are also responding to local media coverage of India Clarke. To commemorate India, a candle light vigil will be held tomorrow, July 24th, in Tampa Bay. More information on this can be found here.
