Her death counts as at least the fourth known murder or violent death of
a trans person in Florida in 2021, all of whom were trans women of color: In February, Alexus
Braxton was murdered, Keri
Washington was reported dead near Clearwater in May, and Royal
Poetical Starz was shot to death last month in Miami Gardens.
De Leon’s body was found on a suburban road, right next to a busy
street, in the Sulphur Springs neighborhood. She was discovered in the early
morning hours of Tuesday, November 2.
Equality Florida said that they are “heartbroken” to share the news,
which they said they have shared with HRC, according
to South Florida Gay News this week. HRC has not yet
released a statement acknowledging De Leon’s death, which would bring their
count total to at least 46.
PFLAG Tampa posted
remarks from Lucas Wehle, who met De Leon while working with the
organization, said her death “came way too soon.”
“She came out and transitioned during her time at PFLAG, a couple there
took her in and gave her a safe place to live and I was one of many who helped
mentor her along the way,” Wehle said. “I do not have words. This year has been
the deadliest in record BY A LOT and I cannot stand sitting here feeling
helpless while we watch this happen each and every year.”
Details surrounding Leon’s death and the investigation have not been
disclosed so far, but Fox
13 confirmed that Tampa Police declared her death a homicide. De
Leon’s family has been notified regarding her death and the ensuing
investigation.
De Leon was 25 at the time of her death, and Wehle describes her as “a
fun spirited and stubborn young woman who never let anything get in her way.”
Her sister, Iris, wrote in social media posts that Jenny “was [just] starting
her life,” and that she was “the best sibling I could ever ask for.”
Iris has begun
a fundraiser on Facebook to pay for Jenny’s funeral expenses. It has
raised north of $3,500 as of this article’s writing.
PFLAG Tampa shared the fundraiser and added that
they will hold a vigil in honor of Jenny and the other lost lives on
November 20, which marks the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR).
On Friday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki condemned
violence against trans and gender non-conforming people, and pledged that
she would inquire about the issue to others in the Biden administration.
The record for murders and violent deaths as counted by HRC — surpassing
last calendar year’s record — was officially set this week with
the death of Marquiisha Lawrence.
“Each of these 45 names represents a whole person and a rich life torn
from us by senseless violence, driven by bigotry and transphobia and stoked by
people who hate and fear transgender people and the richness of their
experience,” HRC president Joni Madison said in
a statement recognizing the record-setting earlier this week.
Madison points to the normalization of “dehumanizing rhetoric” and the
“unprecedented number of bills introduced in state legislatures attacking
transgender youth and trans adults.” HRC also determined this calendar year has
had the most
anti-trans legislation passed or proposed in recorded American
history.
Tampa Police are actively seeking tips and encourage anyone with
information to call Tampa Bay Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477. The associated
case’s number is 21-463329.
SOURCE: LGBTQ NATION
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