Philippines: German fiancé of murdered trans woman makes plans to attend funeral
The German fiancé of a murdered transgender woman is planning to go to the Philippines to attend her funeral.
It comes after 26-year-old Jennifer Laude Sueselbeck was found strangled on Saturday night, naked with her head in the toilet.
US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton – who was one of hundreds of US marines in the area for a training exercise – was formally charged on Wednesday of the woman’s murder.
According to ABS-CBN News, the victim’s fiancé Marc Sueselbeck has confirmed that he will be able to fly to Olongapo to discuss with the family their next steps in funeral arrangements and finding justice for Laude.
Mr Sueselbeck had previously said he had been engaged to Laude since December 2012 and was trying to move her to his home country.
“Jennifer was the most true, hopeful, and life-hungry person I ever met in all my life.
“People like Jennifer will never get a fair chance in your country, and she is just one of thousands, maybe millions in your country sharing the same destiny of your countrymen,” he said.
Politicians in the Philippines are pushing for a tougher anti-discrimination law following the incident, which has also stirred anti-US sentiment.
Senator Bam Aquino said: “We should impose heavier penalties so that these discriminatory and inhumane acts will be eradicated.”
He has pushed for a new bill entitled the Anti-Discrimination Act of 2014 which seeks to prohibit and penalise discrimination of any form, citing a rising number of hate crimes against LGBT people has risen in the past years..
