New report reveals two more American trans women were killed in 2021
Two more trans women in the US were reportedly killed at the end of 2021. On 27 January, the Human Rights Campaign reported that Za’niyah Williams and Nikki Turietta died last month due to anti-trans hate.
Williams, a 21-year-old Black trans woman, was fatally struck in a hit-and-run incident in Houston, Texas, on 20 December. According to a report from TransGriot, authorities and media outlets initially misgendered her – which made it difficult for Williams’ mother to identify her.
Friends and family of the young woman took to social media to mourn for their loss. One of her cousins wrote: “You were loved and will always be a part of me!
Fly high you beautiful butterfly.” A friend of Williams also uploaded a tribute post and described her as a “very sweet and smart young lady.” Tori Cooper, HRC Director of Community Engagement for the Transgender Justice Initiative, said in a statement: “Za’niyah Williams was a bright soul who at 21 years old had the world in front of her.
