The Isle of Wight trans community and their allies gathered at Church Litten in Newport to commemorate murdered transgender teenager Brianna Ghey on Tuesday evening (21st February).
On 11th February, 16-year-old Brianna Ghey – from Warrington in Cheshire – was stabbed to death in a local park.
A 15-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl are currently in Police custody having been charged with their murder. A motive has not been established. Cheshire Police are investigating all lines of inquiry, including that the killing was a hate crime.
The commemoration was attended by up to a hundred members of the trans community and their allies. A minute’s silence was held, and those present held candles in the air to remember Brianna.
The gathering was organised by Rachel Attwood. Rachel said:
“I wanted to celebrate Brianna’s life. Especially, because my community doesn’t get enough attention.”
Rachel says of herself:
“I loved being a woman, but I don’t identify with the identities of women. I’m a person rather than an identity.”
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Ethan and Mac are transmen who have been married for 3 years.
The couple told Island Echo:
“We’re both here to show support. We won’t back down to hatred and violence. For us, simply being alive is an act of rebellion.
“We’ve both had transphobic abuse. But they can’t silence us when we’ve spent a lifetime silencing ourselves.
“We’ll always be here.”
Transwoman Kelsea Broadfoot said:
“I’m proud to be here. But it’s a shame about the circumstances that have brought us together.
“Transpeople have always been around, and we’ll never go away.
“Rest in power Brianna Ghey.”
Maddy – who came out as a transwoman in 2003 – told Island Echo:
“I was constantly being beaten up in the noughties. Things seemed to be getting easier. But the misconceptions about us have been ramped up during the last 3 or 4 years.
“Regarding sport, if you have been on hormones for at least 2 years, there is no physical advantage to being trans. You are like a large car with an undeveloped engine.”
Finally, Fae Young – a singer – had this to say:
“I’m here as a trans ally, supporting LGBTQ+.
“It’s sad that we have come here today, but it’s important that trans voices are heard.
“It’s a tragedy that Brianna has lost her life.”
