ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO/WCCO) – Members of the Queer Legislative Caucus are pushing for legislative action against the threat of transphobia after a Minnesota trans woman was shot to death last month.
A Minneapolis man is facing murder charges for shooting Savannah Ryan Williams, 38, following a sexual encounter in late November. The group is calling the incident a hate crime.
Amber Mum with The Aliveness Project said the queer community is reeling.
“We miss Savannah dearly, and she should be here with us today,” Mum said. “Our hearts are broken, but we’re going to keep fighting, and we’re going to keep pushing, and we’re going to make Minneapolis the best trans community in the country.”
DFL Minnesota House Rep. Leigh Finke said Savannah’s death was caused by one reason.
“Because Savannah was a trans woman, she is dead,” Finke said. “Transphobia is rampant in America, and it is deadly. Our community faces a constant threat of lethal violence in the United States.”
The Aliveness Project said Savannah’s death cannot be treated as an isolated incident, and this is the third murder of a transgender victim this year in Minneapolis.