3 Months Into 2021, Already 10 Trans People Have Been Killed in the U.S.

Jenna Franks is the latest known victim of hate crimes against the trans community in the U.S. Jenna, a 34-year-old trans woman described as “a very kind and loving person” by Dennis Biancuzzo, director of the Onslow County LGBTQ+ Community Center, was found dead in Jacksonville, North Carolina on February 24.

The new year has started slightly over two months ago and already ten people have been pronounced as victims of anti-trans violence. The number of lives lost is three times higher at this point of the year when compared to 2020, which set the record of the largest number of trans homicides in one single year with 44 deaths at the hands of transphobic violence.

Tori Cooper, director of community engagement for Human Rights Campaign’s transgender justice initiative stated that “the fatal violence against transgender and non-binary people we’ve recorded so far this year has been devastating. Jenna had family, friends and a community who cared about her. Her life was taken far too soon.”

The victim’s family and Biancuzzo have joined forces in starting the Jenna Franks Interim Housing Project, which aims to honor Jenna’s memory as well as to provide the trans community with counseling for housing and employment. The project might further include other fields of action such as mental health counseling, sexual assault advocacy, and treatment for substance abuse issues.

You can find more information and learn about how to donate to the Jenna Franks Interim Housing Project right here.