Trans-rights activist Julie Berman was murdered in Toronto on Sunday. Twitter users are mourning her death.
Berman was an advocate for over 30 years, according to Canadian news outlet CBC. As part of her advocacy work, Berman was outspoken about violence against transgender women.
“In loving memory of Julie Berman, a proud trans woman and tireless advocate who fought to raise awareness of the increasing rates of anti-trans violence across our city. With heavy hearts, we will remember Julie,” the official Twitter account of an LGBTQ organization Pride Toronto wrote.
In loving memory of Julie Berman, a proud Trans Woman and tireless advocate who fought to raise awareness of the increasing rates of anti-trans violence across our city. With heavy hearts, we will remember Julie. #RestInPeace pic.twitter.com/JvmfGzLX7R
— Pride Toronto (@PrideToronto) December 27, 2019
Nearly two years after she publicly spoke about the murder of her transgender friend, Berman was found in her apartment with serious head injuries, according to the Globe and Mail. Emergency responders brought her to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Police have charged a suspect with second-degree murder.
Since her death, Berman’s name has trended on Twitter as users mourned and remembered the advocate.
“Rest in power Julie Berman. Thank you for your activism. Your death is yet another tragedy for our community,” Twitter user @freddymcconnell wrote. “It will not be in vain. It cannot be.”
https://twitter.com/freddymcconnell/status/1210573240055283712
Heartbroken today and grateful for the life of Julie Berman, senselessly taken from us out of hatred. https://t.co/LMx50EMRqR
— Charlotte Clymer 🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) December 27, 2019
Her name was Julie Berman. As we lament the murder of yet another transgender woman, it falls to us to help family members & friends to respect and protect all transgender people. https://t.co/57TwCR0izm
— Mia Farrow 🏳️🌈 🌻🇺🇸💙 (@MiaFarrow) December 27, 2019
Toronto trans rights activist Julie Berman has been slain.
— Anthony Oliveira (@meakoopa) December 27, 2019
Toronto is fatal to queer people: careless of our lives and indifferent to our deaths. https://t.co/e8xEDz4AW4
Many people tweeted about how trans women, especially women of color, are disproportionately affected by violence.
“Julie Berman’s tragic murder continues the epidemic of violence against trans women,” Twitter user @DemWrite wrote along with a list of trans women who have been killed.
Julie Berman’s tragic murder continues the epidemic of violence against trans women…
— Nick Knudsen 🇺🇸 (@NickKnudsenUS) December 27, 2019
Dana Martin
Jazzaline Ware
Ashanti Carmon
Claire Legato
Muhlaysia Booker
Tamika Washington
Paris Cameron
Zoe Spears
Brooklyn Lindsey…
…so many more. #DontLookAway
https://t.co/5GsWWmqCV4
Her name was Julie Berman. She was an advocate who had already lost a friend to violence. Trans women, and especially trans women of colour, are disproportionately affected by violence. No one's life should be at risk for being who they are.#TransRightsAreHumanRights https://t.co/NjduLPRoPu
— Jill Promoli (@jillpromoli) December 27, 2019
READ MORE:
- Trump scraps healthcare protections for LGBTQ patients
- Denali Berries Stuckey is 12th Black trans woman killed this year
- Why a 7-year-old trans kid is causing hysteria among conservatives
H/T CBC