Trans man dies after being attacked in homeless camp
A transgender man has died after being attacked at a homeless camp.
Amos Beede was found in an encampment near Burlington, Vermont on May 22. He had suffered multiple blunt force injuries to his face and head, causing internal bleeding, and numerous broken ribs.
Although he was taken to hospital and his condition had been improving, police announced he had taken a turn for the worst and succumbed to his injuries on May 29.
Chief of Burlington Police, Brandon del Pozo, said that the investigation suggested the motives were not linked to the 38-year-old’s trans status, but detectives had “not ruled out the victim’s transgender status as a possible additional motive”.
“Until the attendant facts are clarified, we will continue to view this homicide as a possible bias incident,” he said in a statement.
“An autopsy will reveal the cause of death.”
Earlier this month, a trans woman in New York filmed being taunted on the Subway, as no passengers jumped in to help her.
LGBT advocacy groups have repeatedly said, people who identify as transgender face disproportionate barriers to basic rights and needs compared to the general population. This includes from access to education, employment, housing and health care to fair treatment in restaurants, stores, public spaces, hospitals and other public places.
Conditions are not expected to improve as an number of states move forward with anti-trans discrimination bills.
Last week, in what could be seen as a more positive note, the University of North Carolina announced it will be defying HB2.
Some have suggested this could lead to the bill’s downfall.
