Tracy Single is the 15th trans woman of colour to be murdered in the US this year
Police are searching for witnesses to the murder of Tracy Single (Facebook/Tracy Single)
The 15th transgender woman of colour to be murdered in the US this year has been named as Tracy Single, 22, from Houston, Texas.
Tracy was found dead at a gas station on July 30. The cause of her death has not been released, but local news reports say “it did not appear to be natural”.
It took law enforcement two weeks to identify her with the help of local LGBT+ activist Dee Dee Watters, who organised a Town Hall meeting on August 11.
Single is the 16th transgender person overall known to have died by violent means in the US in 2019.
Her Facebook page has now been memorialised. The city marked her death by lighting City Hall and several bridges in trans colours in her honour.
The 16th trans murder this year has happened here in Houston. Rest In Peace Tracy Single. We have lit City Hall and the Bridges over Hwy 59 in trans colors in her honor tonight/tomorrow. As we #sayhername we remain committed to creating a City where #translivesmatter ?? pic.twitter.com/4cagiNFmrS
— RustinBrother (@HarrisonGuy) August 15, 2019
“Rest in power and peace Tracy,” wrote Monica Roberts, a Houston-based transgender advocate. “You were taken away from us way too soon.”
Single was from New Orleans but moved to Houston earlier this year. She is the latest victim of the “epidemic of violence” against the transgender community, which disproportionately targets black trans women.
The names of the other black trans women known to have been murdered this year are Dana Martin, Jazzaline Ware, Ashanti Carmon, Claire Legato, Muhlaysia Booker, Michelle Washington, Paris Cameron, Chynal Lindsey, Chanel Scurlock, Zoe Spears, Brooklyn Lindsey, Denali Berries Stuckey, Kiki Fantroy and Pebbles LaDime Doe.
Tracy Single was found dead on July 30 (Facebook)
The Human Rights Campaign is demanding justice for Tracy Single.
“It is clear that fatal violence disproportionately affects transgender women of colour, and that the intersections of racism, transphobia, sexism, biphobia and homophobia conspire to deprive them of necessities to live and thrive,” said The Human Rights Campaign.
“This epidemic of violence that disproportionately targets transgender people of colour — particularly black transgender women — must cease.”
Police are looking for witnesses to Single’s death, and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Houston Police Department Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
