Another black trance man has died under mysterious cover and police are trying to figure out what happened. Mel Groves, described on social media as a 25-year-old transgender black man, was taken to Merit Health Hospital on October 11th.
According to Clarion Ledger, he collapsed as he got out of the vehicle. He died after being transferred to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Authorities are currently investigating Groves’ death as murder and trying to establish the motives for the shooting and who may be involved. However, advocates have criticized local law enforcement for misrepresenting Groves.
Victoria Kirby York, deputy executive director of the National Coalition for Black Justice, said in a statement: “How many times do we have to point out that the wrong and murderous name in police reports and news coverage damages investigations? How many times do we need to emphasize the need for training and action by public safety officers to deal with and prevent violence against the trans community? We cannot continue on the path we are on. The time for action is now, before even more lives are lost. “
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Kirby added: “Even more heartbreaking is the fact that Mel expressed fear for his life because he lived in Jackson. Trans people should not be afraid of violence simply because of their identity, but this is the current reality of our country. This is related to the spread of transphobia in our daily lives and inaction around the epidemic of violence against the trans community. ”
The coroner of Hinds County Sharon Grisham-Stewarthowever, he said gender would not hinder the county’s investigation.
“The cause of death will not change whether this person is labeled as male or female, and I think what is convenient in the family to denote the individual male or female is what we have to go with,” Grisham said. Stewart.
The Society of Knights and Orchids, a garden program where Groves was a farmer, wrote on Facebook: “We are saddened to announce the death of Mel Groves. Mel Robert Groves was a 25-year-old black trance man from Jackson, Mississippi. He was killed. The news is already misleading Mel and using his old name.
The Knights and Orchids Society also confirmed that Groves lived in fear of living his authentic life as a trance man in the southern city.
The post continued: “Please contact the Mississippi media and ask them to stop misleading him. We offer rewards for all potential customers and information. “
According to the human rights campaign, at least 38 transgender or gender-poor people – most of whom are black or brown – have been killed in the United States so far.