TEARING #2
The Human Rights Campaign last year identified 57 transgender, non-binary and gender-nonconforming individuals that were killed in the United States in 2021, making this the deadliest year on record to date. Many of those killed by this increased violence are Black transgender women, and often their lives are also endangered by racism, poverty and transphobia. Frequently their deaths are reported using deadnames and are misgendered. In the Jewish tradition of mourning, one tears one’s garment to represent the reality of death and to express grief. While I am not related familiarly to the 57 people who have been killed, I tore 57 shirts and wore one for each person. My queered concept of family is an expanded one, and I mourns these deaths. The three empty places in the grid represent the deaths that were unreported.
The names of those killed in 2021
Tyianna “Davarea” Alexander, Chicago, IL.
Samuel Edmund Damian Valentine, Puerto Rico
Bianca “Muffin” Bankz, Atlanta, GA.
Dominique Jackson, Jackson, MS.
Fifty Bandz, 21 Baton Rouge, LA.
Alexus Braxton, Miami, FL.
Chyna Carrillo, New Wilmington Borough, PA.
Jeffrey “JJ” Bright, Ambridge, PA.
Jasmine Canady, Ambridge, PA.
Jenna Franks, Jacksonville, N.C.
Aidelen Evans, Port Arthur, TX
Diamond Kyree Sanders, Cincinnati, OH.
Rayanna Pardo, Los Angeles, CA.
Jaida Peterson, Charlotte, N.C.
Dominique Lucious, Springfield, MO.
Remy Fennell, Charlotte, N.C.
Tiara Banks, Chicago, IL.
Jahaira DeAlto Balenciaga, Boston, MA.
Natalia Smut Lopez, Milpitas, CA.
Iris Santos, Houston, TX
Tiffany Thomas, Dallas, TX
Keri Washington, Clearwater, FL.
Thomas Hardin, York, S.C.
Wispering Wind Bear Spirit, York, PA.
Sophie Vasquex, Brookhaven, GA.
Danny Henson, Baltimore, MD.
Serenity Hollis, Albany, GA.
Poe Delwyn Black, Slab City, CA.
Chris Blehar, Flaherty, KY.
Oliver “Ollie” Taylor, OR.
Tierramarie Lewis, Cleveland, OH.
EJ Boykin, Lynchburg, VA.
Rubi Dominquez, Arlingon, TX.
Taya Ashton, Suitland, MD.
Shai Vanderpump, Trenton, N.J.
Miss CoCo, Dallas, Texas
Pooh Johnson, Shreveport, LA.
Zoella Martinez, Seattle, WA.
Disaya Monaee, Dolton, IL.
Brianna Ulmer, Chicago, IL.
Geri Judd, Bossier City, LA.
Kier Solomon, Arlington, Texas
Mel Groves, Jackson, Miss.
Royal Poetical Starz, Miami Gardens, FL.
Keeva Scatter, Baton Rouge, LA.
Jessi Hart, Banks, OR.
Jo Acker, Boise, ID.
Rickey Outumuro, Centralia, WA.
Jenny DeLeon, Tampa, FL.
Marquiisha Lawrence, Greenville, S.C.
Danyale Johnson, Memphis, TN.
Angel Naira, Aliquippa, PA.
Nikai David, Oakland, CA.
Martina Caldera, Channelview, TX.
Za’niyah Williams, Houston, TX.
Ke’Yahonna Stone, Indianapolis, IN.
Nikki Turietta, Albuquerque, N.M.