National LGBTQ Task Force Condemns Murder of Tennessee Transgender Woman

WASHINGTON, DC, November 14, 2014 — The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has announced they are investigating the murder of Gizzy Fowler, a 24 year-old African-American transgender woman. Fowler’s death is the latest in a string of homicides targeting the transgender community across the country.

“We are outraged by the continued violent murders of transgender women taking place throughout the country. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gizzy, her family and loved ones. Her death is the eleventh reported incident of a transgender woman of color murdered this year, and the second murder of a transgender woman of color within the last month.

“There is a real national epidemic of violence against transgender women happening in America, and we must do everything in our power to put an end to it. No one should have to fear for their life simply because of who they are. Yet transgender women of color, particularly African-American and Latina transgender women, are constantly living under threat of hate-motivated violence.”

“We urge the local authorities to swiftly investigate Gizzy’s murder and call on them to use every tool in their power to bring justice to her family and her loved ones,” said Kylar Broadus, Transgender Civil Rights Project Director, National LGBTQ Task Force.

Earlier this year, the National LGBTQ Task Force launched #StopTransMurders, a public education campaign to raise the voices of transgender activists and allies working to end anti-transgender violence. On November 18, the organization will join advocates from across the country in a National Day of Action calling for an end to anti-transgender violence and homicides.

Anyone with information about Gizzy Fowler’s murder is asked to call Metropolitan Nashville Police Department’s homicide investigation office at 615-862-7511 or can report it anonymously online at: http://www.nashvillecrimestoppers.com/

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To learn more about the National LGBTQ Task Force, follow us on Twitter: @TheTaskForce.

Media Contacts:
Mark Daley
Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
(Office) 202.639.6325
(Cell) 202.379.8318
mdaley@thetaskforce.org

Jorge Amaro
Media and Public Relations Director
(Office) 202.639.6306
(Cell) 213.842.7564
jamaro@thetaskforce.org